culmination

noun

cul·​mi·​na·​tion ˌkəl-mə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the action of culminating

2

: culminating position : climax

the culmination of a brilliant career

the culmination of years of research

Synonyms

• acme
• apex
• apogee
• capstone
• climax
• crescendo
• crest
• crown
• head
• height
• high noon
• high-water mark
• meridian
• ne plus ultra
• noon
• noontime
• peak
• pinnacle
• sum
• summit
• tip-top
• top
• zenith

Choose the Right Synonym for culmination

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable.

summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

Examples of culmination in a Sentence

This study is the culmination of years of research.

an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage

Recent Examples on the Web

The culmination of that process will occur in April when the Task Force votes on a final master plan if there is not unanimous support. —Dan Goldman, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025

This debut album is the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and learning. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Then, add on volatility due to massive government layoffs, trade tariffs, higher inflationary prices, and fears of a possible recession, and the culmination of all these factors could have a material impact on corporate earnings. —Earl Carr, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025

The culmination was a remarkable fadeaway jumper with Dillon Brooks’ hand in his face after Murray seemed to want the tenacious Brooks switched on him. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see culminate

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for culmination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation