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peak

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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

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 Context Tryfan is one of the highest mountain peaks in the Eryri National Park in Wales, standing at 3,010 feet. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 His total net worth is down $121 billion from its peak in December, when the company had a market capitalization well in excess of $1 trillion — the gains of a post-election rally wiped out entirely, with the stock price tumbling 38 percent just since Trump’s inauguration. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Liberty-Lynx series peaked at 2.15 million viewers for the deciding Game 5, which New York won in overtime, while the full set averaged 1.57 million. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025 And while Gaga teased a heaviness for much of the album rollout, the album peaks with some of its frothier moments. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • Key Ingredients: Bolivian mountain salt, papaya enzymes, prickly pear extract Best For: Getting rid of scalp build-up, sans residue.
    Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The countryside is dotted with impressive chateaux and is varied, with mountains, rivers and coastlines on both Atlantic and Mediterranean.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Traditionally, family offices have long been seen as the pinnacle of private investment sophistication—highly sophisticated institutional level investors, dedicated to single or small groups of ultra-high-net-worth families to manage their fortunes across generations.
    Francois Botha, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Red Rocks may be the pinnacle of any tour, but its 9,250 seats are small in comparison to Fiddler's Green Amphitheater (about 17,000).
    John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The colorful board book brims with Ann Diament Koffsky’s buoyant illustrations.
    Penny Schwartz, Sun Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Lyrically, the song brims with imagery of rural living — wide open plains, John Deere tractors and glowing red sunsets — while the song’s protagonist dreams of building a family and a future in those same, slow-rolling rural settings.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Inflation expectations also surged, with survey respondents now expecting inflation over the next year of 4.9%, up from 4.3% a month ago Of note: Long-term inflation expectations also surged, to 3.9% in March from 3.5% in February.
    Neil Irwin, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The surging price of gold is among several signs that investors are concerned about America’s economic outlook, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers told CNN on Friday.
    Olesya Dmitracova, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Dimash’s Parisian debut reached its zenith on November 5th, with an invitation to perform at a closed-door event hosted at the Élysée Palace, Dimash delivered a performance that seamlessly blended emotional depth and entertainment.
    SPIN Contributor, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The era of Peak TV, characterized by an abundance of high-end fiction content, has reached its zenith.
    Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • As Diop improves his shooting touch from outside, his value will only increase.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Weather experts predict that the tornadoes will increase to a strength of EF4 by Saturday, with hurricane-force winds at a speed of more than 74 mph, CNN reported.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The structure of its web varies throughout the year, with changes in its angle, height above the ground, line density and magnetic orientation, all influenced by seasonal shifts.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The stand aside, this monitor has ample tilt, height, and swivel adjustments at the ready.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The national average crested above $2 per pound for fresh, whole chicken for the first time last year and hit a record high of $2.08 in November.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • These protections, granted at a time when the auto industry boomed and no hint of competition from foreign automakers crested the horizon, would not be considered burdensome for the Detroit Three for decades.
    Jackie Charniga, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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