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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

Examples 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
McDonald's is bringing back the fan favorite McRib sandwich in Michigan this December, with an early sneak peak that includes a splash of sauce. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024 The Federal Reserve's half-point rate reduction in September marked its first cut in four years, following a series of hikes beginning in 2022 that elevated the federal funds rate to a 20-year peak of 5.3 percent. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
The breakout style, which has been peaking in recent months thanks to the likes of Naomi Campbell, Pamela Anderson, Salma Hayek, and Cardi B, was embraced with a tailored approach. Marissa Muller, WWD, 23 Nov. 2024 But the incident may be a sign of things to come during the holiday season, when cybersecurity crises are likely to peak. Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peak 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • One foot of snow has already hit the mountains west of Redding, California. ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this report.
    Max Golembo, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Meanwhile, back in Mosser’s neighborhood, community members were working to fill in the road just enough so that her husband and son could safely get down off the mountain to be with her.
    Michelle Boudin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • In 2023, Bayer Leverkusen made $58 million dollars, a fraction of what the clubs at the pinnacle of European soccer earn.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024
  • Of course, the pinnacle of player props has to be the Anytime Touchdown, which is the most electric play in sports.
    Matt Modi, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The brim shielded precipitation from our faces, including protecting our eyes even when heavy snowflakes dumped on us.
    Mark Eller, Outside Online, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Social media influencer Victoria Garrick Browne shared a video of her boyfriend Max wearing a maroon hat with fringe hanging from the brim.
    Bryan West, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • And recent data shows that interest in these products is surging.
    Justin Klawans, The Week US, theweek, 20 Nov. 2024
  • On the day after the election, the S&P 500 was up 2.5 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 3.6%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 2.95%, and the Russell 2000 index of small company stocks surged 5.8%.
    Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Not that the spotlight in question shines all that brightly to begin with; most of the dozens of artists Nicolay spoke to work in commercially tenuous realms, such as indie rock or punk, in which a band like Sonic Youth represents the imagination’s zenith.
    Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
  • Today, even if her commercial power has waned from its 2019-2020 zenith, Grande has found a level of consistency amongst her cultural ubiquity.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Even with all the steps your government and Police Department are taking to increase safety and improve driving conditions, the most influential safety factor remains you, the individual behind the wheel.
    Glen Koen, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Speed, distraction, infrastructure and, as a Detroit Free Press/USA Today Network investigation revealed in 2018, the increasing presence of large trucks and SUVs with their higher front ends, have all played a role, along with factors, including darkness and impairment.
    Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • The Fix: Stick To The Numbers The right shelf height, Basley says, is 14- to 16-inches tall.
    Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2024
  • This luxury is set to be taken to new heights on British Airways superjumbos, as the airline just unveiled a fresh design for its first class airplane seat, set to launch on BA’s A380 planes in 2026.
    Francesca Street, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • After her film career crested in the mid-1980s, Garr increasingly turned toward the small screen.
    Valerie J. Nelson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
  • Starting on the front straight section and racing uphill through turns 11, 10, 9 and cresting over turn 8 – known as the Corkscrew – with the finish line at turn 7, competitors race up 300 feet (91 m) in elevation.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near peak

Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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