Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) as vibration-mitigating devices are widely used in structures to reduce their displacement response under dynamic forces. Through a novel dolphin echolocation (DE) algorithm, this paper provides optimum tuning of TMD parameters. Developing some features of this algorithm results in a faster convergence to the optimum solution. Besides, grey wolf and whale optimization algorithms (GWO and WOA), as two other nature-based meta-heuristic algorithms, are employed in this problem. The modified DE illustrates a more optimum design of TMD's parameters rather than GWO and WOA. The code has been verified by a sample structure from the literature and then applied to a high-rise forty-story structure under strong ground motions. The numerical results reveal that the optimum TMD is viable in attenuating the structural responses, including relative displacements and absolute accelerations under different earthquake excitations. For instance, in the high-rise structure, the modified DE, GWO, and WOA reduce the maximum displacements up to 45%, 43%, and 38%, respectively. Moreover, the algorithms, specifically the modified DE, propose more cost-effective designs in comparison with previous studies in the literature by introducing smaller TMD parameters.