summit 1 of 2

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

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
Relations improved last year in June when Carney invited Modi to the G7 summit in Alberta. ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026 Carvalho gave the keynote speech at a summit for superintendents sponsored by Age of Learning, where Kerr worked at the time as the head of sales. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
But plenty of other people knew Mount Everest existed and had no desire to summit it. Christopher Ferguson, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 Climbers hoping to summit Mount Rainier can expect technical terrain that requires rope skills and the ability to ascend and descend a mountain safely, according to the NPS. Outside, 22 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • Duluth was once a city of immense wealth, and this magnificent 39-room Jacobean Revival mansion represents the pinnacle of that luxury.
    Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
  • So far, this win is its pinnacle.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Now, bids to the Sweet 16 are becoming routine for the ascending program.
    Myah Taylor, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Canales took a brief break from scouting prospects at Lucas Oil Stadium to attend the first half of the Hornets’ victory over the Pacers, showing support for Lee and his ascending squad, a Panthers spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer.
    Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The path to the top is not professionally supported.
    Philipp Lahm, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
  • Heat 2 cups milk in the top of a double boiler just until bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pan.
    Indianapolis Star, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • While Intuitive Surgical’s sales to Fortinet have scaled back its holdings in Sunnyvale, the maker of a cutting-edge surgical robot has created a huge campus at the corner of Kifer Road and Commercial Street.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • In a nod to critics who worried the building would dwarf the famous dive tower, developer Mario Caprini and his team scaled back the west building’s height from the equivalent of 13 stories to six.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This cycle has reached its zenith in Netanyahu’s latest and greatest gamble.
    Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • This electrifying combo of documentary and concert film showcases the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his creative zenith during his 1970s Las Vegas residency and early '70s tours, and more importantly showcases Presley in all of his jumpsuited splendor, as both cultural icon and cool guy.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Ultimately, however, the Ducks surmounted not one but two two-goal deficits for the second straight game after doing so against Edmonton on Wednesday.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 28 Feb. 2026
  • The furor ultimately became too intense to surmount.
    Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Its peak lasts 58 minutes, but the entire duration is approximately 5 hours and 39 minutes.
    Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The Robeson peak and Manuilova’s bust made this positional correspondence visible.
    Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Place the chicken in front of you, breast up, with the neck pointing away from you.
    Peter Barrett, Outside Online, 9 June 2025
  • Its superiority was passed like a shibboleth among food connoisseurs: Thighs are juicier, tastier, are almost half the price—preferable in just about every way to the boneless, skinless, flavorless breasts that reign supreme in America.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

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