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 two sides' 30-minute summit covered strategic investment, shipbuilding and nuclear cooperation, as well as the transition of wartime operational control, or OPCON, to South Korea. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026 The Justice Department unveiled a $25 million grant opportunity Thursday as Attorney General Todd Blanche hosted violent crime survivors and grieving families for a summit focused on public safety and support for victims. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
Earlier this summer, Dawson embarked on a three-peak challenge — attempting to summit Ismoil Somoni Peak, Ozodi Peak and Manaslu — as a fundraiser for the ALS Network. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 Explore the park on horseback, or book a hiking tour to summit Carrauntoohil, the country’s highest peak. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • That notion reached its pinnacle after the Chiefs beat the Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game but was punctured by their 40-22 clobbering at the hands of the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
  • These pioneers fully expected that machines would one day surpass humans—that AGI would become ASI, or artificial superintelligence—because there’s no reason to expect that humans are the pinnacle of intelligence.
    — George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Hanson made his fame as one of the three Hanson brothers — including Isaac and Zac — who ascended to pop stardom in the late ’90s.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The officer is John Hunt (Willem Dafoe), who would lead the first successful mission to ascend it.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But the box office milestone wasn’t really the figure Theron had at the top of her mind.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The top is varied enough in design enough to wear with jeans, a skirt, or your favorite work trousers.
    — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Traditional SaaS scales via active users, but high AI user spikes can destroy margins due to heavy compute costs.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Blitz also closed a friends-and-family pre-seed round, which will fund the hiring of additional engineers to expand and scale the platform.
    — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Eventing, at the best of times, is an adrenaline junky’s zenith; a game for the preternaturally brave and ineffably technically minded.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Windstar passengers can tour the ancient castle at the hilly town’s zenith, lounge on one of the sandy beaches, or visit an olive grove, where extra-virgin olive oil is produced using traditional methods.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Fame and money were not enough to surmount housing segregation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • With flight sticking to LEO during Artemis III, communication limitations become a lot easier to surmount.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • Fall is officially here, which means hiking season is about to reach its peak.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Shift toward low-carbon infrastructure For Viaro Energy, which accounts for up to 9% of UK gross gas production at peak output, the partnership reflects a shift toward resilient, low-carbon infrastructure.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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