Synonym Chooser

How does the noun culmination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of culmination are acme, apex, climax, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When would acme be a good substitute for culmination?

The synonyms acme and culmination are sometimes interchangeable, but acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Where would apex be a reasonable alternative to culmination?

The meanings of apex and culmination largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When is it sensible to use climax instead of culmination?

The words climax and culmination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When could peak be used to replace culmination?

The words peak and culmination can be used in similar contexts, but peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When might pinnacle be a better fit than culmination?

Although the words pinnacle and culmination have much in common, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When can summit be used instead of culmination?

While in some cases nearly identical to culmination, summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of culmination The weekend is a culmination of a six-month season of gospel performances, which included free pop-up concerts around Miami-Dade County, all in an effort to spotlight the genre and its cultural significance in Miami. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025 Harvard alleged the revocation was the culmination of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration on academic freedom at Harvard. Alexandra Koch , Bill Mears, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025 Washington said that was the culmination of a day in which Enright and the Angels were frustrated with Ortiz. Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 19 June 2025 Working with Parker, who was the first president of Facebook and co-founder of Napster, is the culmination of the risk-taking business side of her mindset. Afshan Musani, CNBC, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for culmination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culmination
Noun
  • Young reached the pinnacle of success in high school at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.—he was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020—and in college at Alabama.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 July 2025
  • America stands as the pinnacle and leader of Western civilization.
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The relationship embodies the zenith of the client-advisor dynamic, one that extends beyond the scope and term of a contract or the legacy boundaries of functional expertise.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For such a humanist filmmaker, Boyle reached his zenith by pondering us at our lowest point.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The first came in the top of the fourth when Buehler walked Josh Lowe and served up a two-run home run to Ha-Seong Kim, his first of the season to put the Rays ahead 2-1.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 11 July 2025
  • Drizzle with oil, top with feta, cilantro, black pepper, and the reserved shrimp legs, and serve.
    Greg Chelmis, Saveur, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The river reached its second-highest height on record, surpassing a 1987 flood level, according to the National Weather Service.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 7 July 2025
  • The first-floor gallery is confusing enough with its varying ceiling heights and tomb-like layout.
    Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • From the peaks of the Southern Alps to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, the country offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern living.
    Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
  • Halfway through 2025, reported cases have already surpassed 1,274 − the peak for all of 2019.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • Is the Michelin star really in the bag, as Episode 3’s snowy climax would suggest?
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 1 July 2025
  • The Capricorn full moon on July 10th brings a climax in your friendship or community life.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • The deadly apex aliens have finally revealed themselves, rapidly spreading their deadly spikes across the planet.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 5 July 2025
  • The apex of sweet wine from Sicily can be found in a glass of Donnafuguta Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Culmination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culmination. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on culmination

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