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peak

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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

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
As Pluto retrogrades in Aquarius, the potential for shocking revelations is at its peak. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 May 2025 Shares have cooled off in 2025 but are still up a few percentage points since the Feb. 19 market peak. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
The Kentucky Derby is the goal for 3-year-olds, trainers mapping out routes to acquire enough points and simultaneously peak for the first Saturday in May. Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Like oranges, tomato prices vary depending on the time of year, rising in the fall, peaking in the early winter months and then plummeting in the spring. Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • The most subdued of those was one of the most tempting: Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms, which only opened in March, a 12-room, high-end retreat with muted colors, enormous rooms, custom furniture and poolside mountain views.
    Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • During this time, what is now the Canadian Rockies was covered in water, and animals swam above the ground that would later become mountains.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Arches National Park is known for its colorful stone arches, pinnacles and balanced rocks.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
  • Most apropos is that the statue will be forged by fire, an analogy perfectly befitting Staley and her journey to this pinnacle.
    Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Styles include a coach’s jacket, running short, short brim hat and bucket hat.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 25 Apr. 2025
  • These features give the appearance of a rounded crown and broad brim of a sombrero, for which the galaxy is named, according to a statement from NASA.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Now, demand has surged past what these networks were ever built to support.
    Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The Mariners have surged into first place in the American League West on the strength of, surprisingly, the offense.
    Tim Britton, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The 2012 Olympics were Campbell’s zenith but an eight-year professional career brought a further 20 wins from 24 fights and lightweight world-title contests against Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • At that point Jupiter is just visible in the west, about 32 degrees above the horizon (this is about a third of the way up to the zenith).
    Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Autism rates increased, again: But RFK Jr. diverges from CDC report about the reason.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Net income increased almost thirteenfold last year to $192.4 million from $15.3 million in 2023.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Yet arguably his greatest achievement was to raise the bar of the entire Premier League, pushing rivals like Manchester City to new heights in order for Pep Guardiola’s men to finish above Liverpool.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • To prevent the display from looking boring, create visual contrast through elements other than color—just varying the height, size, shape, and texture of the objects will create an eye-catching vignette. 3.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Coupes that live in the $100,000-plus bracket are never going to be big sellers, and while Lexus has managed to move more than a thousand of them each year, the beauty has only crested the 2,000 mark twice (2017 and 2021).
    Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 1 May 2025
  • The dress has a longer hemline, but note that depending on your height, the dress could either crest past the knee or just at.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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