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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
Redfin says investor demand has dropped from the 2022 peaks, and in-migration has plunged by 79 percent compared to pandemic levels. David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025 Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks may be a little muddy, but their rugged isolation is much more evident in spring than in high-traffic peak times. Tanvi Chheda, AFAR Media, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
That song reappears on the list at No. 30, after once peaking at No. 14, upping her total number of timely smashes to three. Follow me on Twitter. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 By comparison, when enrollment peaked five years ago, the district had 92,112 students, according to state data. Jessica Seaman, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for peak 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • The Santa Ana winds—hot, dry gusts descending from inland mountains—and severe drought conditions have created a perfect environment for wildfires to ignite rapidly and spread uncontrollably.
    Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Photos show the hound wearing the orange rescue harness on top of the mountain.
    Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In some ways, saber teeth represent an evolutionary pinnacle, the optimal design for a canine tooth to puncture prey, says Rayfield.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 21 Jan. 2025
  • For 2025, the VW Tiguan, which has been the company’s top selling model since it was redesigned in 2018 to align with the Atlas, serves as a pinnacle of all those ideas and then, takes them a step further with true luxury features and an even more elevated, refined style inside and out.
    Scotty Reiss, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Erivo had three microphones on her: a personal mic on the center of her forehead, another fixed on the brim of her hat and one placed on her costume.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Nature lovers will find an abundance of places to explore: Nearby McKee Botanical Garden brims with tropical plants (look for water lilies blooming in its streams), while Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge serves as a home for brown pelicans and other migrating avians.
    Kara Franker, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the Pacers have surged recently and are playing better at both ends, and coming off last season’s deep playoff run, there is no reason not to allow the team as currently constructed to take another swing.
    Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The New Foundation Of Professional Success While generative AI tops the list of fastest-growing skills, cybersecurity and risk management are also surging in importance.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • John Ashton, the actor who reached a career zenith as detective John Taggart in the Beverly Hills Cop film franchise, died at his Fort Collins, Colorado home on Friday after a battle with cancer.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024
  • The best way to hold monoculars steady is to use two hands – one in front of the other – and use gravity when observing something at the zenith, allowing your eye socket to gently support their weight.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since the attack, Weisz-Gut has felt forced to take account of the specter of increasing prejudice in Europe on a personal level.
    Allison Gordon, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
  • One should be convinced of his increasing persuasive influence in the United States and in affairs with allies.
    Richard E. Vatz, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Quite frankly, Moicano is far from being at Makhachev’s lofty height.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Scores of other active projects would be discussed in other meetings, on other days—including museum spaces in Bilbao, Madrid, and San Diego, and a proposal for a tower in Riyadh that, at a height of two kilometres, would be more than twice as tall as any building ever built.
    Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, even before the election of Trump, the DEI movement appeared to have crested.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
  • As a force-of-nature newcomer vying for a big-screen break, Margot Robbie is all frantic energy, while Brad Pitt deploys his star wattage to great effect playing a famous leading man just cresting the peak of his career and starting on the way down.
    Kevin Lincoln, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near peak

Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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