peak 1 of 2

Definition of peaknext

peak

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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 peak
Noun
Buffett highlighted a chart in the text displaying that at the craze’s peak in March of 2000, that number, now revered as the Buffett indicator, reached a vertiginous 200%. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026 At the peak of his career, Williams had three boats – built one of them himself – and was harvesting 500,000 pounds of clams and oysters annually. Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
The best viewing window is expected late Friday night, April 10, through the early hours of Saturday, April 11, when geomagnetic activity linked to the incoming solar wind stream is forecast to peak. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026 Its blooms peak in summer, but when planted in early spring, its foliage can help gardens feel more lush. Cori Sears, The Spruce, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • Tree planting remained an important component, but the vision became broader, with more focus on cultivating arid, degraded land - like the mountains around Kourtimale or the Ferlo valley.
    Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Then commandos used mini-helicopters to reach the mountains, extract the weapons officer, and fly him back to the airfield.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This year is your turn to socialize and enjoy life, because your creativity and zest are at a pinnacle!
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 16 Apr. 2026
  • Therefore, it’s taken some time to infiltrate the mainstream, and 2026 is reaching pinnacle ballet flat supremacy.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Following the astronomical success of his genre-bending period film, Mendonça Filho’s inbox is filled to the brim with meeting requests and scripts.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Pulido told the crowd, before scratching his signature onto the brim and handing it to Jimena, who pumped it in the air and shrieked with joy.
    Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nearby rental and hotel accommodations notably surge during Coachella’s two weekends, with the average Indio Airbnb asking for $1,200 a night — a 109% premium — during Coachella Weekend 2.
    Andrea Domanick, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • But a late caution forced an overtime restart, opening the door for Reddick to surge past Kyle Larson on the final lap.
    Ryan Brennan April 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • About 45 minutes after the sun sets, the eye-catching celestial duo will be visible in the western sky, roughly two-thirds up from the horizon to the point directly overhead (called the zenith).
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • At that time, McCann’s crypto firm was at the zenith of its success.
    Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The list of measures in the statement touches on ties that China had suspended in recent years as tensions increased.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
  • Crews also removed a wooden timber debris screen in front of one of the dam's gates to help increase water flow through it.
    Nick Lentz, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • This shows the height of the mountain Democrats must climb.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Stocks pulled back from their record heights on a shaky Wall Street on Thursday following mixed profit reports from Tesla and other big companies.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Wisconsin River is expected to crest this afternoon, according to NOAA's latest National Weather Prediction Service map.
    Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Cognitive performance, emotional stability, and earnings all tend to crest in the fifth decade.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

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