Synonyms of summit

summit 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mət 

as in pinnacle

the highest part or point

a new movie that some enthusiastic reviewers are already calling the summit of cinematic achievement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

summit

2 of 2

verb

as in to ascend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ascend
• scale
• surmount
• breast
• free-climb
• mount
• get up
• struggle
• shin
• skin
• shinny
• climb
• shimmy
• clamber
• claw
• sprawl
• scramble
• swarm
• scrabble

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun summit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of summit are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and pinnacle. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

When could acme be used to replace summit?

The words acme and summit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When might apex be a better fit than summit?

In some situations, the words apex and summit are roughly equivalent. However, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When can climax be used instead of summit?

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

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When would culmination be a good substitute for summit?

Although the words culmination and summit have much in common, 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 peak instead of summit?

While the synonyms peak and summit are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

Where would pinnacle be a reasonable alternative to summit?

The synonyms pinnacle and summit are sometimes interchangeable, but pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of summit

Noun

For those who want to get close to the summit without committing to a month of climbing, there are flightseeing companies like Denali Air. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025

But the most popular hiking route leads visitors all the way to the summit. —Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2025

Verb

Pro tip: Aim to summit at sunrise, and climb the historic fire lookout tower for an even better vantage point. —Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Apr. 2025

Hundreds of people summit the mountain each day, though weekends are particularly busy on the 3-mile roundtrip trail. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025