high relief

American  

noun

Sculpture.

1. sculptured relief in which volumes are strongly projected from the background.

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high relief British  

noun

1. Also called: alto-relievo.  relief in which forms and figures stand out from the background to half or more than half of their natural depth

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Etymology

Origin of high relief

First recorded in 1875–80

Compare meaning

How does high-relief compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• high relief vs. low relief

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

high relief

This stark dichotomy puts Amina, stunningly sung and acted by Nadine Sierra, into high relief on stage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025

But confronting what you specifically don’t like about working with this anti-mentor can cast what you prioritize most into high relief.

From Slate ● Sep. 4, 2024

Winkler’s affective shortcomings throw his social anxiety and bouts of verbal diarrhea into high relief.

From New York Times ● Oct. 24, 2023

Interracial relationships throw this into high relief, pushing cultural and racial differences to the fore⁠—the key edges of those puzzle pieces.

From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2022

Side.—Lioness, in high relief, recumbent to right, playing with cubs.

From A Catalogue of Sculpture in the Department of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, Volume I (of 2) by Smith, A. H.