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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
The strike, organized by members of the Teamsters union, is intended to pressure Amazon to come to the negotiating table and avoid disruptions during the peak of the holiday shopping season. Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 At its peak in the early 1900s, Trinity had around 1,600 members. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
The metric peaked in November and subsequently edged down, only to nudge up to around 478 in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which alongside several districts from surrounding states makes up the NCR, on Thursday. Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 The average overdraft fee peaked at $33.58 in 2021, according to Bankrate data. Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peak 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • Western Siskiyou County is similarly advised, while those in the West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada mountains and Western Plumas County and Lassen Park County should also take care.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Hike along the Beagle Channel on the Senda Costera, or push yourself on the steep Cerro Guanaco Trail for awe-inspiring views of mountains plunging into icy waters.
    Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Vintage Port Recommendations Vintage Port is the pinnacle of Port production and the flagship product of the Douro.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The Stark Varg, which offers performance comparable to 450cc gas dirt bikes, is perhaps at the pinnacle of this industry.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The rounded cap, with its short, stiff brim, is a more fashionable take on a beret — and a style that designers like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana continue to reinvent in classic tweed or edgy lace and netting.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
  • On a purely aesthetic level, meanwhile, the show brims with design marvels: a cabinet from Eileen Gray, the recognizable Ultrafragola mirror with its pink undulating frame from Ettore Sottsass, elaborate vintage perfume bottles, an elegant water closet decorated with a blue botanical motif.
    Amy Verner, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Since news of the shooting broke, searches for the discontinued model have surged, drawing attention to the cult-like fascination surrounding the case.
    Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Consumer confidence surged in November as Republicans cheered Trump's victory, but then pulled back in December.
    Dave Lawler, Axios, 26 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Accommodation in the valley reaches its zenith at Bruma Wine Resort, a masterpiece of sustainable architecture where modernist design meets natural beauty.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • To that point, the job of an editor has evolved considerably since Graydon Carter, Anna Wintour and Tina Brown created the paradigm in the turn-of-the-century zenith of magazines.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Back in their home town of Memphis, the band half-heartedly worked up a few new songs and fought among themselves with increasing ferocity.
    Mitch Therieau, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Triller’s entry onto NASDAQ and its substantial backers has earned it increasing attention.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • By 2100, the study warns, storms in the Pacific Northwest could temporarily raise ocean heights up to three times more than current levels, dramatically increasing flood risks.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The two cooks' successes and failures are great fun to watch, particularly the series of scenes in which Child, having just enrolled in a cooking program, practices cutting hundreds of onions, the slices forming a pile that matches her own impressive height.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Meteorologists said that in Los Angeles and Orange counties, waves would crest at 5 to 10 feet on Christmas Day.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Why pack into cable cars to crest Nob Hill, stress over snagging a reservation at a Napa tasting room, or elbow your way into the lift line at Palisades Tahoe?
    Jessica Ritz, AFAR Media, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near peak

Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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