Synonyms of peak

peak 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēk 

1

as in mountain

an elevation of land higher than a hill

the nearest peak worth climbing is hundreds of miles away

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mountain
• pinnacle
• mount
• hump
• alp
• summit
• mountain range
• cordillera
• sierra
• range
• knob
• mountaintop
• horn
• seamount
• inselberg
• aiguille

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• valley
• depression
• basin
• bowl
• vale
• hollow

2

as in pinnacle

the highest part or point

a pop singer at the peak of her career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pinnacle
• zenith
• height
• top
• culmination
• apex
• climax
• summit
• crest
• apogee
• crescendo
• crown
• noon
• sum
• acme
• meridian
• capstone
• highlight
• tip-top
• head
• high-water mark
• noontime
• high noon
• prime
• ne plus ultra
• heyday
• glory
• flower
• bloom
• roof
• blossom
• high
• cap
• ceiling
• tip
• flood tide
• extremity
• extreme
• vertex
• highspot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bottom
• base
• foot
• nadir
• minimum
• rock bottom
• abyss

3

as in brim

the projecting front part of a hat or cap

accidentally stepped on the hat and crushed the peak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brim
• visor
• bill
• vizor
• shade

peak

2 of 2

verb

as in to surge

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surge
• increase
• crest
• swell
• mushroom
• escalate
• snowball
• proliferate
• intensify
• accumulate
• balloon
• mount
• wax
• heighten
• bourgeon
• multiply
• enlarge
• appreciate
• build up
• expand
• skyrocket
• shoot (up)
• rocket
• burgeon
• soar
• zoom

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fall
• plunge
• slump
• tumble
• plummet
• collapse
• decrease
• nose-dive
• drop
• diminish
• contract
• lessen
• wane

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun peak differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of peak are acme, apex, climax, culmination, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When could acme be used to replace peak?

Although the words acme and peak have much in common, 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 peak?

The words apex and peak can be used in similar contexts, but apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When might climax be a better fit than peak?

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

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When is culmination a more appropriate choice than peak?

While the synonyms culmination and peak are close in meaning, 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 pinnacle instead of peak?

The words pinnacle and peak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

In what contexts can summit take the place of peak?

In some situations, the words summit and peak are roughly equivalent. However, summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of peak

Noun

At its peak, in the mid-1950s, Seabrook Farms owned or controlled fifty thousand acres in the southwestern corner of the Garden State, employed up to eight thousand people or more at one time, and grew and packed about a third of the nation’s frozen vegetables. —John Seabrook june 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025

If faced with an online permit-portal for a peak, people may instead choose to scale a mountain next door, displacing their damage. —Sarah Scoles, JSTOR Daily, 11 June 2025

Verb

The full moon, which appeared in hues of orange and red, peaked around 3:44 a.m. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 June 2025

The temperature in Madisonville peaked at 92 degrees during the time the child was left in the car and the heat index was as high as 104 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 10 June 2025