Definition of summitnext

summit

2 of 2

verb

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

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 summit
Noun
The summit will explore what that shift means for marketers and how to put it to work. — William Earl, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026 Indeed, the summit marked the first public appearance of the second cohort of Pacsun’s Youth Council. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
This photograph taken on May 20, 2026, shows mountaineers climbing a slope lined up during their ascent from the Hillary Step to summit Mount Everest in Nepal. — Sam Meredith,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 Earlier this summer, Dawson embarked on a three-peak challenge — attempting to summit Ismoil Somoni Peak, Ozodi Peak and Manaslu — as a fundraiser for the ALS Network. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The Nike Apex, as the name suggests, will be the new pinnacle of the Swoosh’s race day fleet.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • That’s an improbable description for a longtime Wall Street exec — even more so for one who has spent 26 years climbing the ranks of Goldman Sachs, and who may soon ascend to the CEO job at the storied investment bank.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Rookie catcher Carter Jensen began to ascend behind the plate and Jac Caglianone tapped into his immense power.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • After a 20-minute telecast delay due to the NFL game, the pop icon began her performance perched on the top of a piano as Carpenter played the keys.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
  • DeFoe finished 13th in the angler-of-the-year race and finished in the top 12 in four of the circuit's seven tournaments.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Sustainable Fashion Forum founder Brittany Sierra will also address whether consumer demand can help scale next-generation materials.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The fintech business is focused on scaling with the ambition of reaching unicorn status.
    — Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • At its zenith, the collection of buildings housed world-famous galleries and artist exhibitions that made the gritty section of Santa Monica an unlikely contemporary art capital.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Eventing, at the best of times, is an adrenaline junky’s zenith; a game for the preternaturally brave and ineffably technically minded.
    — Tilly Berendt, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index weathered a savage 30% drawdown, has been choppily trendless for two months, then in recent days finally broke above its downtrend and surmounted the 50-day moving average.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Fame and money were not enough to surmount housing segregation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Currently, the entire state of Utah produces only around 4 gigawatts of electricity on average (though its peak capacity in summer can reach around 10 gigawatts).
    — Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • However, sky watchers can occasionally spot hundreds of shooting stars per hour during the Draconids’ peak.
    — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The navy blazer is another key item, particularly double breasted with gold buttons.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 June 2026
  • Place the chicken in front of you, breast up, with the neck pointing away from you.
    — Peter Barrett, Outside Online, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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