towering

USAGE SUMMARY

'towering' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a tall structure or figure, or figuratively to describe a powerful or influential presence. Example sentence: The towering skyscraper rose high above the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I know that ladies in towering heels do need a rest sometimes, but surely there are chairs for that?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The star attractions are the towering Fitz Roy massif at its northern end, and the huge, turquoise-coloured Lago Argentino to the south.

The Guardian - Travel

Facebook, iTunes and other towering digital giants have flourished using elements first teased or pioneered by Fanning's software.

The Guardian - Music

And now it has the food to match the history; as you'd expect from Bloomfield, it's gutsy and great: towering pillows of foccaccia, imaginative pastas – lumaconi and gemelli, fine salumi, and the star – a wonderful whole roast chicken.

The Guardian - Travel

Jesse Norman's Edmund Burke: Philosopher, Politician, Prophet (William Collins) is an excellent political biography of a towering Whig parliamentarian who conferred an ideological definition on the creed of conservatism.

The Guardian - Books

Unlike his more flashy contemporaries, 6ft-plus aristocrats of the front line towering above their competitors in a series of decorous leaps stage-managed for the highlights reel, Cahill's headers have always emerged up and out of the tangle of bodies in the box, as if capturing the evolution of a collective kinetic mass rather than some deviation from it.

The Guardian - Sport

It was not immediately recognized as a towering literary achievement.

The Guardian

At Forster Square – one of Bradford's two much-reduced rail termini – we looked up from the train to the towering stonework of the station's retaining walls, built to serve what was then the capital of the world's wool trade, rather than, as now, the headquarters of Morrison's.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Horse – Da Vinci's horse – was a towering equestrian monument that he planned to cast in bronze as a memorial to Ludovico's father, Francesco Sforza.

The Guardian - Arts

As a city dweller I am, of course, accustomed to towering constructions, to the frequent disturbances of the skyline, to symbols of fierce modernity placed next to buildings of historical significance, and nature's determined route around them both.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It will also strengthen capital buffers in anticipation of periods of stress.In this section Wall Street's annus horribilis A nudge in the wrong direction Save yourselves Locked away Ivory-towering infernos A stimulating question ReprintsThe second reason is that the leverage ratio will exclude the two banks' domestic lending activities from the calculation of capital.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "towering" to describe physical structures or natural formations that are significantly taller than their surroundings, creating a sense of awe or dominance.

Common error

Avoid using "towering" to describe objects or structures that are only slightly taller than average. The word implies a significant difference in height, not a marginal one.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "towering" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is exceptionally tall or elevated. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Travel

14%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Books

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

26%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "towering" is a versatile adjective used to describe something exceptionally tall or prominent, both literally and figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media, Travel, and Sports contexts, as demonstrated by the examples provided. To avoid misuse, remember that "towering" implies a significant difference in height or importance, not a marginal one. Synonyms like "soaring", "lofty", and "imposing" can be used to add nuance to your descriptions, depending on the specific context. Be aware that "towering" conveys a sense of scale and importance that is appropriate for use in neutral, professional, and even informal contexts. The phrase is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soaring

This suggests an upward movement in addition to height.

sky-high

Emphasizes extreme altitude, more informal.

lofty

Indicates both height and a sense of grandeur or nobility.

imposing

Focuses on the impressive and sometimes intimidating nature of the height.

gigantic

Highlights the size and scale rather than just height.

monumental

Suggests historical significance and impressive size.

colossal

Implies immense size and power.

elevated

Focuses on being raised above the surroundings.

prominent

Emphasizes being noticeable and standing out, whether physically or figuratively.

outstanding

Highlights exceptional quality or importance, often figurative.

FAQs

How can I use "towering" in a sentence?

You can use "towering" to describe something very tall, like "The "towering skyscraper" dominated the skyline" or "The "towering mountain" was covered in snow".

What are some synonyms for "towering"?

Some synonyms for "towering" include "soaring", "lofty", "imposing", and "gigantic". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "towering" to describe someone's achievements?

Yes, you can use "towering" metaphorically to describe someone's achievements, influence, or intellect, implying they are exceptionally impressive or significant. For example, "a "towering intellect"".

What's the difference between "towering" and "tall"?

"Tall" is a general term for above-average height. "Towering" suggests something exceptionally high, much taller than its surroundings, creating a sense of dominance or awe. "Towering" implies a greater degree of height than "tall".