Definition of summitnext

summit

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun summit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of summit are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and pinnacle. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

When could acme be used to replace summit?

The words acme and summit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When might apex be a better fit than summit?

In some situations, the words apex and summit are roughly equivalent. However, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When can climax be used instead of summit?

While in some cases nearly identical to summit, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When would culmination be a good substitute for summit?

Although the words culmination and summit have much in common, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When is it sensible to use peak instead of summit?

While the synonyms peak and summit are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

Where would pinnacle be a reasonable alternative to summit?

The synonyms pinnacle and summit are sometimes interchangeable, but pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

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 summit
Noun
The summit puts Carney's vision for a new global order to the test. — Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026 In late September, the aspens covering the summit turn from green to amber gold, transforming the mountainside into an astonishing display of autumn color. — Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
China’s trade growth accelerated last month, but data showing imports fell short of analysts’ expectations will likely add to calls for Beijing to rebalance its economy ahead of a high-stakes leaders summit with the US this month. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026 With no peak to summit and no trailhead to return to, stopping to snack on wild raspberries and discuss what the group found felt equally part of the adventure. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • Instacart, meanwhile, reached the pinnacle of its success during the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns sent millions of consumers to their phones to order up groceries.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The pinnacle of fashion (marketing) Increasing appeal to the ultra-wealthy is only part of the story.
    — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • But with the arrival of the first season of 2025’s The Celebrity Traitors — undeniably one of the best pieces of reality TV Britain has seen in recent years — his star ascended even higher.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The eldest daughter of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Leonor de Borbón y Ortiz became first in line to the Spanish throne when her father ascended in 2014.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • With its tender texture, it can be used as a base for salads, added to pasta, sprinkled over top of a pizza, or turned into pesto.
    — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The black-and-white palette is easy to match with fall tops, including sweaters and T-shirts.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Setting a gift cap, agreeing on spending limits with relatives or scaling back hosting are all ways households can manage holiday expenses, in line with the APA’s advice to make a financial plan and reduce spending when necessary.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike the typical, Western beauty origin story — where an entrepreneur launches a specialized startup and scales through venture capital — Fas does not have a single founder.
    — Kati Chitrakorn, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • However, anyone looking for ways to get temple architecture into images of an eclipse at zenith should look no further than these two large stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Although reggaeton originated in the streets, the genre hit its zenith in the mainstream this year, thanks to Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl halftime show and Karol G’s headlining set at Coachella.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • To surmount the issue, Apple routed a flexible graphite pipe through the hinge itself to transfer heat between the two halves, thereby increasing the surface area available for heat dissipation.
    — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Several diplomatic hurdles will need to be surmounted before any recovery effort can take its first steps.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Storing heat between peaks Unlike solar and wind installations, conventional nuclear power plants are generally designed to produce electricity continuously.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The area of Ice Mountain and other nearby peaks were heavily searched by aircraft, including multiple drones and helicopters, as well as aircraft with infrared technology.
    — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The navy blazer is another key item, particularly double breasted with gold buttons.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 June 2026
  • Place the chicken in front of you, breast up, with the neck pointing away from you.
    — Peter Barrett, Outside Online, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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