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

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

To show their differences in high relief, but also to show unexpected similarities.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 13, 2023

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

From New York Times • Oct. 24, 2023

On the outside, in very high relief, are figures of Bacchus with vines and panthers, some portions being hollow from within, others fixed on the exterior.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various