peak 1 of 2

Definition of peaknext

peak

2 of 2

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
To quantify spatial variations, peak emission frequencies are translated into radial distances and compared against a polynomial baseline to derive ( r_\perp ), a measure of perpendicular displacement. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026 Road to Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington One of the country's oldest national parks, Mount Rainier is an active volcano and the most glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
Verb
In Houston, daytime temperatures will struggle to climb out of the mid-60s, and will likely peak at 67 degrees. Roberto Villalpando, Houston Chronicle, 1 May 2026 May’s annual meteor shower is predicted to peak on the morning of May 5. Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • This gorgeous view of the Flower Moon was captured by Ahsan Mohammed Ahmed Ahmed as the lunar disk rose over the mountains close to the city of Erbil in Iraq.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
  • Other samples contained alder and ash, more common to rivers, as well as fir and beech more typical of the mountain regions of Istria and Dalmatia.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • The theater, declared a landmark in 1988, is a 13-story shadow box preserving bits from a rich history of pop culture pinnacles past.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • With just 15 percent of its land planted to Sangiovese—known locally as Brunello for over 400 years—Brunello di Montalcino is often hailed as the pinnacle of the variety.
    Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • The former model, 56, has become known for an oversized brim, especially during formal and ceremonial appearances.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
  • What’s more, the padded shoulder straps are genuinely comfortable, even when the bag is stuffed to the brim (as someone with shoulder issues, this is a huge plus).
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As her Parkinson’s advances and carbon levels surge, PLANT LIFE captures a scientific race against time that may determine both her legacy — and our collective future.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 May 2026
  • Three people have died since measles began to surge nationwide last year.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • After Apex, Charlize Theron and director Baltasar Kormákur may have found a new zenith.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
  • At its zenith, sky-gazers can expect to see as many as 50 meteors an hour under optimal conditions, although NASA warns that fainter meteors may be eclipsed by bright moonlight this year.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The 76ers led for all but 31 seconds in the game, increasing a five-point halftime edge to 18 in the third quarter.
    Kyle Hightower, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Her aunt plans to pressure the City Council to pass measures to increase building safety.
    Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Many of the precautions a traveler could take are similar to those that became familiar at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 8 May 2026
  • Schlamminger said that’s a notable difference — such as measuring the height of a human and being a millimeter or two off.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Last week, McHenry county residents walled off their homes in preparation for the Fox River to crest.
    Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The river is expected to crest on Wednesday, but homeowners in Holiday Hills are already dealing with some issues as the water is rising quickly.
    Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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