high-water mark

noun

Definition of high-water marknext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 high-water mark 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 The Weeknd reached a new high-water mark on Spotify this week. — Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 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
  1. pinnacle
  2. top
  3. zenith
  4. height
  5. culmination
  6. peak
  7. apex
Noun
  • The end of the week could be the pinnacle of Brody Bumila’s young baseball career with the MLB draft commencing Saturday.
    — Greg Dudek, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026
  • The July Fourth celebration was the pinnacle of a three-day event hosted by Nylon, part of Bustle Digital Group, and hosted at The Surf Lodge.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 6 July 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • The Angels then chased Eovaldi when Logan O’Hoppe walked and Wade Meckler singled, driving in a run as the top of the order came to the plate.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • The canoe dug into the top of my spine, biting harder every step.
    — John Todd, Outdoor Life, 9 July 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • But at its zenith, the location attracted the global A-list and fashion crowd, both within its rooms and food and beverage spaces, before the arrival of social media.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • Instead, all of those previous experiments have culminated in Messi's World Cup zenith now.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • In one photo, Kate drapes an arm around George, who is now almost her height (the future king turns 13 later this month).
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Mixing knits with leather creates texture and contrast in the outfit, while the height and simplicity of these solid-color boots helps ground the overall look.
    — Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 6 July 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • Their sustained success isn't just a golden generation, but the culmination of a two-decade-long federation strategy.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • The All-Star start is the culmination of what’s already been great stretch — the best in Royals history.
    — Sam McDowell July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
  • France is experiencing the peak of its third heat wave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 40 C (104 F) across western and central areas and around 37 C (98 F) in Paris.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • Sertraline, being lipid-soluble, accumulates in the marine food chain, eventually reaching apex predators like sharks.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Matthews works for Florida Shark Diving, one of several shark charter companies in southeast Florida that promise up-close encounters with some of the state’s apex predators.
    — Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

high-voltage
high-water mark
high-water marks
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Cite this Entry

“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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