Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apex differ from other similar words?

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

the apex of Dutch culture

When might acme be a better fit than apex?

While the synonyms acme and apex are close in meaning, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Where would climax be a reasonable alternative to apex?

In some situations, the words climax and apex are roughly equivalent. However, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When could culmination be used to replace apex?

The meanings of culmination and apex largely overlap; however, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When is peak a more appropriate choice than apex?

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

an artist working at the peak of her powers

In what contexts can pinnacle take the place of apex?

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

the pinnacle of worldly success

When would summit be a good substitute for apex?

The words summit and apex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Examples of apex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web During the apex of Culture Club’s popularity in the 1980s, George was the ultimate press darling –there wasn’t a moment when the singer didn’t appear on a magazine cover or TV talk show, especially in America. David Chiu, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 Peering down gave me the disorienting sensation of being at the apex of some hollowed ziggurat — part 800 B.C., part 1989. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2024 Functional morphology of the Triassic apex predator Saurosuchus galilei (Pseudosuchia: Loricata) and convergence with a post-Triassic theropod dinosaur Die Naturwissenschaften. Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024 And the Caesar has the potential to be the apex of orders. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 23 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for apex 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Apex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apex. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.

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