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 Hangman turned the chairs around back-to-back and hit a powerbomb at the apex of the chairs. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 Linda Farrow is one of those brands that perennially seems to be at the swirling apex of fashion and pop culture. Alison S. Cohn, Vogue, 11 July 2025 The trend reached its apex with Ohtani, who agreed to defer 98 percent of his windfall until after his playing contract ends; the team is paying him just $2 million per season while using his celebrity to rake in untold millions through new sponsorships with Japanese companies. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 19 June 2025 At the same time, a seeming plague of serial murder was reaching an apex. Sarah Weinman, The Atlantic, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for apex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apex
Noun
  • If the war in Vietnam marked the pinnacle of war journalism, and AP had a legendary perch in that war, much of it was due to Faas.
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The world tells of success as such a wonderful story, the pinnacle of happiness.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Lollapalooza’s website has some safety tips listed — like wearing earplugs to protect hearing and taking breaks from being in the sun — but does not have information on crowd safety procedures.
    Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Not even the imaginary zenith of human civilization can overpower nature forever.
    Devan Coggan, EW.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Some shows in the U.S. later in the year might be about the zenith of anything that anybody ever imagined really.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2025
Noun
  • That includes a deal to add 20 high end ScreenX theaters via a partnership with South Korea’s CJ 4DPlex that followed the earlier installation of new D-BOX motion seat auditoriums.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Consider this, just about four months ago, at the end of April 2025, AMD stock was trading at around $80 levels and has seen a massive rally to close to $180 per share currently.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Ironically, island escapes are not at the top of it.
    Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Netflix global top 10: Mandala Murders Directed by Gopi Putharan, Mandala Murders made its debut on Netflix on July 25.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Danielle Scott, a legally blind Afro-Cuban, Polish-Jewish, and Asian mixed-media artist at the cusp of international fame, risks her own well-being by exposing herself to the intergenerational trauma of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025
  • That journey, which has already seen the top pick of the 2021 draft endure a major injury and historic losing, earn an All-Star bid and lift the Detroit Pistons back to the playoffs, led him to the cusp of his defining moment.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Residents can check wave height predictions by viewing the NWS Great Lakes Portal, which updates wave heights, wind gusts and air temperature forecasts.
    Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • The Oregon Department of Emergency Management said on Facebook that small tsunami waves were expected along the coast starting around 11:40 p.m. local time, with wave heights between 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 0.9 meters).
    Mari Yamaguchi, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • What time will the August full moon peak in Nashville?
    Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 31 July 2025
  • The project’s peak cost was estimated to be over $60 million for the first phase.
    Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Apex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apex. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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