Synonyms of peak

peak 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēk 

1

as in mountain

an elevation of land higher than a hill

the nearest peak worth climbing is hundreds of miles away

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mountain
• pinnacle
• mount
• hump
• alp
• summit
• mountain range
• cordillera
• sierra
• range
• knob
• mountaintop
• horn
• seamount
• inselberg
• aiguille

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• valley
• depression
• basin
• bowl
• vale
• hollow

2

as in pinnacle

the highest part or point

a pop singer at the peak of her career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pinnacle
• zenith
• height
• top
• culmination
• apex
• climax
• summit
• crest
• apogee
• crescendo
• crown
• noon
• sum
• acme
• meridian
• capstone
• highlight
• tip-top
• head
• high-water mark
• noontime
• high noon
• prime
• ne plus ultra
• heyday
• glory
• flower
• bloom
• roof
• blossom
• high
• cap
• ceiling
• tip
• flood tide
• extremity
• extreme
• vertex
• highspot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bottom
• base
• foot
• nadir
• minimum
• rock bottom
• abyss

3

as in brim

the projecting front part of a hat or cap

accidentally stepped on the hat and crushed the peak

Synonyms & Similar Words

• brim
• visor
• bill
• vizor
• shade

peak

2 of 2

verb

as in to surge

Related Words

• surge
• increase
• crest
• swell
• mushroom
• escalate
• snowball
• proliferate
• intensify
• accumulate
• balloon
• mount
• wax
• heighten
• bourgeon
• multiply
• enlarge
• appreciate
• build up
• expand
• skyrocket
• shoot (up)
• rocket
• burgeon
• soar
• zoom

Dissimilar Words

• fall
• plunge
• slump
• tumble
• plummet
• collapse
• decrease
• nose-dive
• drop
• diminish
• contract
• lessen
• wane

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun peak differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of peak are acme, apex, climax, culmination, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When could acme be used to replace peak?

Although the words acme and peak have much in common, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Where would apex be a reasonable alternative to peak?

The words apex and peak can be used in similar contexts, but apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When might climax be a better fit than peak?

While in some cases nearly identical to peak, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When is culmination a more appropriate choice than peak?

While the synonyms culmination and peak are close in meaning, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When is it sensible to use pinnacle instead of peak?

The words pinnacle and peak are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

In what contexts can summit take the place of peak?

In some situations, the words summit and peak are roughly equivalent. However, summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of peak

Noun

Just a few years later in 1990, the Ford Explorer rolled off the line at LAP, and the plant would assemble this SUV and enjoy success for the next decade with sales peaking at 445,157 in 2000. —Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

The service grew alongside the web itself, peaking at over 20 million subscribers in the early 2000s before broadband adoption accelerated its decline. —ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2025

Verb

Now is the perfect time to make a BLT when summer tomatoes are at their peak. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025

This year, the Perseids are active from July 17 to Aug. 23, with a peak in mid-August. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025