maximal

adjective

Definition of maximalnext
as in maximum
being the highest possible The group wanted their performance to have the maximal amount of impact.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 maximal Functionality and convenience are key for makeup wearers like me who want to put in minimal effort but get maximal results. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 2026 More and more, celebrities have been turning away from the maximal, festival-ready looks of yore (the mid ’10s) in favor of more minimalist looks, or, choosing to focus on one singular statement vintage piece to pull their outfit together. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2026 In the age of reengineering bedrooms for maximal sleep, these upholstered bed frames are just the thing for cocooning. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2026 Stationery used to signal maximal effort. — Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for maximal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maximal
  1. maximum
  2. utmost
Adjective
  • The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The storm had maximum sustained winds over 180 mph, with winds expected to exceed 150 mph on Rota, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of maximum
Adjective
  • How To Store English Cucumbers Treat all of your produce in a way that lasts for as long as possible at utmost taste and freshness.
    — Aly Walansky, Southern Living, 2 July 2026
  • According to reports, he is shadowed by security at all times, and his privacy is of the utmost concern.
    — Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026
Definition of utmost

Browse Nearby Words

maxima
maximal
maximize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maximal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maximal. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fulcrum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All