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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
Adler explains that the vintage market usually starts to peak at around the 20-year mark from a band’s initial popularity, or close to it. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 The Southern Taurids will peak Nov 3-4, 2025, when the moon will be 96% full, the American Meteor Society said. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Clara Mohammed School offered Milwaukee students a predominantly Black and faith-based school alternative at a time when segregation was at its peak. Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Verizon’s stock price has dropped notably since its peak between 2018 and 2020 and is down about 30% over the past five years, reflecting sustained underperformance compared to broader market indices. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • Officials identified the trail camera footage from the Dhofar mountains as the first time Arabian leopards had been seen preying on rock hyrax on video.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
  • According to National Geographic, about 374 climbers from 49 countries have scaled the mountain this year.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Marc Márquez finally hauled himself back to the pinnacle of MotoGP in Japan last weekend, capping one of sport’s most arduous comeback stories with an almost flawless title charge.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Warner Chappell and Warner Music have always been at the pinnacle of support for songwriters and other music creators, and that reality is still very evident in the current leadership and staff.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Next, the brim gets its shape through a process called flanging, accomplished via machines heated to 275 degrees that will press brims with 60 pounds of pressure.
    Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025
  • With his left hand around Dart’s neck, Daboll pulled the quarterback so close that the brim of the coach’s hat got flipped up.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Large-cap cult momentum names Tesla and Palantir exerted pressure on the S & P 500, even as micro-caps fly , quantum-computing lottery tickets surge , crypto presses to former highs , and Robinhood shares add 2% today, 22% this month and almost 300% year to date.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • At high tide, waves surge through the rocks sending seawater into plumes, sometimes up to fifty feet high.
    Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Song for song, Showgirl is her best since the Folklore/Evermore double-shot of five years ago — that might look like an unbeatable zenith, but then so did Red before Folklore happened.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025
  • In other words, at its post-Diana zenith, the support for the monarchy was there but had gone soft.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That, alongside Newcastle’s desire to spread the fee over multiple years (whereas Como were going to pay in one lump sum), led to Milan increasing their asking price.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Milwaukee is not alone in seeking to implement or increase a wheel tax to raise local revenue.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In an interview with Flow Space, pro runner D’Amato shares five lessons about finding joy in midlife by taking on new challenges—and battling the fear, doubt, and failure that come with the desire to reach new heights.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The widest tree in Indiana, according to the registry, is a Silver Maple in Lawrence County with a circumference of 361 inches and a height of 103 feet.
    John Tufts, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Redford’s great decade crested in 1979 with the production of Ordinary People, the creation of Sundance, and his second teaming with Jane Fonda, The Electric Horseman, another Redford-Pollack project.
    Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Both Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath crested in popularity in the 1970s, capturing die-hard fans amid the growing popularity of rock.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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