HIGH-WATER MARK Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

high-water mark

noun

Definition of high-water mark

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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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

Noun

Researchers told me that many Democrats believe that the pinnacle of achievement is having a good education and a fruitful career.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
What progress was made in some technological areas—navigation, shipbuilding—was seen as the pinnacle of achievement.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of pinnacle

Noun

Westman Atelier has achieved a lot on its own, rising to the top of the ranks in complexion and lip.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
He was only getting started, but people could already see the natural ability that the youngster believed would one day take him to the top.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of top

Noun

Around the time the body was disposed of, Lake Mead was nearing its zenith.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Despite Villa reaching their zenith under Emery in May, there was a growing argument to undergo a stable transitional phase, providing youthful impetus and appearing proactive, rather than reactive, in lowering the age of the squad.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of zenith

Noun

Barrack has mediated direct talks between Syria and Israel in an effort to make sure that an uneasy truce is sustained, especially in southern Syria where Israeli forces continue to occupy strategic heights on Syrian soil.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
With their height factor, watch out for Lampard’s side at long throws.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of height

Noun

Disruption is not a starting point but the culmination of a journey, built on creating commercial evidence and learning.

— Dileep Rao, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
After Savaiinaea struggled as a rookie at left guard, his play in the first two series in his Dolphins right guard debut, albeit in an exhibition against the Washington Commanders, seemed to be the culmination of an offseason of dedicated work.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of culmination

Noun

Day trippers during peak summer months are aplenty, but only between 10am and 5pm.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
In June, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared the official start of a new El Niño, which is expected to be historically strong and peak somewhere between October and December.

— Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of peak

Noun

Gin-Gin Mule The turn of the millennium is when vodka was at the apex of its cultural power.

— Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026
While many are known to migrate to the remote archipelago of Franz Josef Land in Russia’s northernmost territory, and the count of the apex predators on Svalbard varies throughout the year, around 300 remain there year-round.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

high-voltage

high-water mark

high-water marks

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“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of high-water mark

noun

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