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

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 apex This time of year, these apex predators are packing on the pounds by feasting on calorie-rich sockeye salmon at Brooks Falls. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025 Mendoza, who’s overseen a club playing 35-52 ball since its June apex, has to be on very thin ice. Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 24 Sep. 2025 The rapper’s willingness to provoke, which often came bundled in a conversation about mental health, catapulted him to the top of pop culture and later, knocked him off the apex. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025 As apex predators, wolves play an important role in healthy ecosystems, said Christine Barton, executive director of the California Wolf Center. Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apex
Noun
  • Marc Márquez finally hauled himself back to the pinnacle of MotoGP in Japan last weekend, capping one of sport’s most arduous comeback stories with an almost flawless title charge.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Warner Chappell and Warner Music have always been at the pinnacle of support for songwriters and other music creators, and that reality is still very evident in the current leadership and staff.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These earbuds include two listening modes, interchangeable and flexible tips that offer a more custom and comfortable fit, and a longer battery life.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The silicone earbud tips create a full seal in the ear, resulting in top-of-the-line noise cancellation, while the overall sound quality is exceptional with advanced listening modes (ANC, Transparency, and Adaptive).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Song for song, Showgirl is her best since the Folklore/Evermore double-shot of five years ago — that might look like an unbeatable zenith, but then so did Red before Folklore happened.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In other words, at its post-Diana zenith, the support for the monarchy was there but had gone soft.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • But if nothing else, this new environment should give Okoro breathing room to find his footing on the other end.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • As our colleagues at Bleacher Report wrote, ticket prices for the Los Angeles Lakers surged as speculation grew that James might actually be announcing the end of his playing career.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Alternatively, if an opponent aggressively presses both No 10s — as Laurent did with Rogers and Bologna attempted a fortnight earlier — Villa will create a two-vs-two up top.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The scam calls are so prevalent, especially toward senior citizens, that Milwaukee's sheriff's office has kept a warning for them at the top of its public service announcement web page and developed a video in November 2024 on what people should expect.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Matt Boldy looks to be right on the cusp of franchise-player status himself and is a strong complement to Kaprizov.
    The Athletic NHL, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Man Ray is one of the few Dada-Surrealist cusp figures who finessed affiliations with both movements without alienating either one.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In an interview with Flow Space, pro runner D’Amato shares five lessons about finding joy in midlife by taking on new challenges—and battling the fear, doubt, and failure that come with the desire to reach new heights.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The widest tree in Indiana, according to the registry, is a Silver Maple in Lawrence County with a circumference of 361 inches and a height of 103 feet.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 82-mile loop travels along lava fields, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and displays mountain views of six Cascade peaks.
    Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Each frame evokes the gauzy coziness and charm of peak-era '80s horror films such as Silver Bullet (1985), with its wilder elements anchored by a murderers' row of accomplished performers.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apex. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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