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

Unearthly figures appear on them too, but as disembodied faces shaped in high relief.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2023

Staying home all the time has really thrown into high relief how much *work* it is to go out into the world and perform appropriate femininity.

From Slate • Jun. 14, 2021

The most imposing sculpture is a 17th-century metal plaque showing the figure of a royal courtier in high relief.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2021

Upon a gilded pedestal, wrought with high relief, was seen their Christ, bowed beneath a precious cross of tortoise-shell and silver.

From Spanish Highways and Byways by Bates, Katharine Lee