as in pinnacle
the highest part or point
he hit the high-water mark of his acting career when he played Tiny Tim in a school play
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Recent Examples of high-water mark
The Weeknd reached a new high-water mark on Spotify this week.
—
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
How San Francisco settles the debate could reverberate throughout the reparations movement, setting a high-water mark for an effort that has been criticized for, so far, producing small sums.
—Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
This year’s crop of competitors is a far cry from recent years when the starting roster has approached triple digits, hitting a high-water mark of 96 mushers in 2008 (though a more modest number, 78, crossed the finish line).
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
In Paso Robles, dozens of makeshift encampments sprang up along roadways, above the Salinas’ high-water mark.
—Jeremy Miller, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for high-water mark
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
How San Francisco settles the debate could reverberate throughout the reparations movement, setting a high-water mark for an effort that has been criticized for, so far, producing small sums.
—Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
This year’s crop of competitors is a far cry from recent years when the starting roster has approached triple digits, hitting a high-water mark of 96 mushers in 2008 (though a more modest number, 78, crossed the finish line).
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
In Paso Robles, dozens of makeshift encampments sprang up along roadways, above the Salinas’ high-water mark.
—Jeremy Miller, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for high-water mark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-water mark
Noun
-
Bharathiraja earned the honorific Iyakkunar Imayam – pinnacle of directors.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
In her post-race press conference, Shiffrin spoke movingly about reaching the pinnacle without her father, Jeff, who died in an accident in his home in 2020.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
Noun
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On top of that, Folarin Balogun, 24, became the first American player since 1930 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
-
How Blue Light Blocking Contact Lenses Work Blue light filtering contacts use specialized materials built into the lens itself, not a coating added on top.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
George Clinton took it to its zenith.—
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson,
VIBE.com,
7 June 2026
-
Now, imagine if those teams outside the top 14 still had a shot at the CFP just as the season reaches its zenith.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Swells on Tuesday led to beach hazard warnings across Southern California, along with high wave heights and rip currents, the National Weather Service warned.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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Barry had been appointed in April 2020, at the height of pandemic uncertainty, when stay-at-home orders made foot traffic to brick-and-mortar retailers like Best Buy nearly impossible.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The bust marks the culmination of an over two year investigation and the fourth takedown of Trinitarios gang members in Massachusetts since 2019.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
9 June 2026
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In writing the scene, a culmination of all the tensions between two men who’d known one another since childhood, Gadd had to hold many elements of the show’s plot in mind.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
As advertised, Swanson remains a peak defender, and his offensive production can be particularly streaky.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 June 2026
-
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Badger eclipsed the 50-yard threshold in three of the last four games of the season overall, and his chemistry with Plummer should be at its apex by this point of the season and in a third straight matchup against the same defense.—
Juan Carlos Blanco,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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Some oppose hunting apex predators on ethical grounds, regardless of whether populations are considered healthy and sustainably managed.—
Amber Harding OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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