culmination

noun

ˌkəl-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce culmination (audio)
Definition of culminationnext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun culmination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of culmination are acme, apex, climax, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When would acme be a good substitute for culmination?

The synonyms acme and culmination are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 culmination?

The meanings of apex and culmination largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When is it sensible to use climax instead of culmination?

The words climax and culmination are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When could peak be used to replace culmination?

The words peak and culmination can be used in similar contexts, but peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When might pinnacle be a better fit than culmination?

Although the words pinnacle and culmination have much in common, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When can summit be used instead of culmination?

While in some cases nearly identical to culmination, 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 culmination The technical milestone is the culmination of the kingdom’s longstanding contingency plan for keeping its oil flowing after the effective closure of their main export route. —Emma Ross-Thomas, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026 This transaction is the culmination of the Board’s robust process to unlock the full value of our world-class portfolio. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026 This transaction is the culmination of the board’s robust process to unlock the full value of our world-class portfolio. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026 Yesterday was the culmination of this journey. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for culmination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culmination
  1. pinnacle
  2. zenith
  3. top
  4. height
  5. peak
  6. climax
  7. apex
Noun
  • In a new lawsuit, one of the first three women to officiate an NFL game describes her three years at the pinnacle of her profession as a descent into the grip of a sexist institution unable to treat a woman as an equal.
    — Larry Neumeister, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
  • But coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks quickly reminded TCU that there are still levels to this, and the Horned Frogs are still a tier or two away from joining South Carolina, UConn, Texas and UCLA at the pinnacle of the sport.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Klosterman believes right now is likely the zenith.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Miami Music Week is at its zenith this weekend, its cacophonous diversions and decibels aimed at the spring break crowd and other ears that haven’t been around for very long, highlighted by the DJ bonfire known as Ultra Music Festival.
    — Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • After Allegiance pushed across two runs in the top of the sixth, Grace Prep used singles by Liam Jaime and Buchanan with three walks that produced three runs and the game was called.
    — Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Read on for the top 10 in descending order.
    — Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • Stardom is more nuanced than height and weight and wingspan, but Williams clearly has the physical gifts and general profile of a solid NBA player.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • Similar to Jupiter's true superstorms, their activity lasted for months, but unlike true superstorms, their cloud towers only reached modest heights.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • The first was a gentle bell curve; the second was a jagged line, with two sharp peaks—one on the left, the other on the right.
    — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Their rivalry reached its peak in 2018, when the two engaged in an on-court brawl during a matchup between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • There’s no question that the series delivers a climax that more than lives up to the title.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
  • His color choices in the film’s emotional climax are the subtle, purposeful craft work that the cinematography branch voters live for.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of climax
Noun
  • Those twenty-five years or so were the apex of Washington Consensus conservatism, of neoconservative interventions abroad and neoliberal economic policy at home.
    — Suzanne Schneider, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The turn of the millennium is when vodka was at the apex of its cultural power.
    — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of apex

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culmination
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Cite this Entry

“Culmination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culmination. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on culmination

Nglish: Translation of culmination for Spanish Speakers

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