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
The 13th hole, titled Azalea, is home to about 1,600 bushes that reach their peak brilliance during tournament week. Lp O'Brien, AJC.com, 5 Apr. 2026 These venerable Swiss houses represent peak legacy watchmaking, and their most expensive and rarest pieces tend to be deliciously complicated. Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
March’s meteor madness Fireballs are lighting up skies over California and Nevada, and a number of significant events are expected to peak soon. Kristin Scharkey, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 Daytime temperatures will peak at 83 degrees, which would be 5 degrees warmer than normal but also only 5 degrees shy of the city's daily heat record for April 4. Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • While the deception operation was ongoing, the agency used its capabilities to track the crew member in a mountain crevice, the official said.
    Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Granville’s exploits included skiing over the Carpathian mountains during the war to deliver microfilms with cyanide sewed into her skirts and a hunting knife tucked into her trousers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Losing his grip Even with his career at its pinnacle and before his back became chronically balky, Woods found his way onto tabloid headlines.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Madison Square Park Tower represents the pinnacle of New York living.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Choose from bucket, visor, wide-brim and cap styles, all with advanced sun protection with a UPF 50 rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV rays.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This stuffed-to-the-brim casserole was made for feeding crowds.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Brent crude, which cost roughly $73 a barrel at the start of the war and is now hovering at just over $100, could quickly surge to $150, risking a global recession.
    Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Leaders across several countries are addressing their nations on Wednesday as the Iran war intensifies, energy prices surge and governments move to explain how the conflict is affecting daily life.
    Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Her materials include those most basic elements of the earth—geology—and her forms borrow from totems, obelisks, prehistoric megaliths, and Indigenous Caribbean zeniths.
    Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Japanese consumer electronics company Maxell, known for its high-performance chromium metal cassettes during its 80s zenith, has now released a modern update to the portable cassette player.
    Shirl Leigh April 06, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The MorphoScan’s measurements ebbed and flowed from day to day as expected, with my weight dropping the day after a cardio workout and increasing after a weekend of indulgence.
    Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Apr. 2026
  • UConn recovered from its prolonged shooting slump to regain its bearings, eventually increasing its lead to 10 points on a Mullins’ 3 with 47 seconds left in the half before heading into the locker room up 37-29.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Noah Baumbach reached new heights with this bittersweet examination of a relationship in the aftermath of a breaking point.
    Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This building has a diameter of 80 feet and a height of 100 feet.
    Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The wave is just cresting, with other groceries soon expected, including three T&T Supermarkets from Canada, another Osaka Marketplace in Pleasant Hill and a flagship H Mart in Fremont.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • In Louisville, the Ohio River crested near downtown at 36.63 feet, marking the highest river level since the March 1997 flood and ranking as the eighth-highest crest on record for the location.
    Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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