pinnacle

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinnacle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinnacle are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to pinnacle?

Although the words acme and pinnacle 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

When is it sensible to use apex instead of pinnacle?

The meanings of apex and pinnacle largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When could climax be used to replace pinnacle?

The words climax and pinnacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 pinnacle?

In some situations, the words culmination and pinnacle are roughly equivalent. However, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When might peak be a better fit than pinnacle?

While the synonyms peak and pinnacle are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When can summit be used instead of pinnacle?

The words summit and pinnacle can be used in similar contexts, but 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 pinnacle Pro football insiders take audiences behind the headlines on their thrilling American adventure in the coaching profession, where your calling is also your job, and the jobs, at the pinnacle of sport, are few. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025 Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1648, the pure white marble facade with a 3D effect is known for its most intricate inlays and delicate lattices, representing the pinnacle of building design in the Indo-Mughal style. Shalbha Sarda, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025 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 The hypocrisy of clutching pearls when whites committed 'cultural appropriation,' and then celebrating Black and Hispanic Founding Fathers is the pinnacle of absurdity! Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinnacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinnacle
Noun
  • Many Republicans have ended their political careers by fighting with Trump, who is now at the zenith of his political power.
    W. James Antle III, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 2025
  • In President Donald Trump’s idealized framing, the United States was at its zenith in the 1890s, when top hats and shirtwaists were fashionable and typhoid fever often killed more soldiers than combat.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • One lesson from the anti-CAA protests is that change doesn’t always start at the top.
    Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Bowman raced to the top of the leaderboard in qualifying Saturday, during which the red-hot Josh Berry earned the other starting spot on the front row.
    Sam Navarro, Charlotte Observer, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Built almost entirely of wood (including wooden pegs instead of metal nails), the Black Hills chapel features six roofs that gradually rise to a peak.
    Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation stands well below a peak attained in 2022, though price increases register nearly a percentage point higher than the Fed's goal of 2%.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The culmination of that process will occur in April when the Task Force votes on a final master plan if there is not unanimous support.
    Dan Goldman, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • This debut album is the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and learning.
    Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This pillow has two height options to dial in the perfect amount of neck support.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The senior guard was determined to make his mark on the program, motivated to take his team to new heights.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • How could anyone ever improve it? Originally released on the Super Nintendo in 1995, Chrono Trigger arrived at the apex of the Japanese RPG golden age.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • In 2024 reached the apex of success by winning the WWE World Title from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 41, only to have his celebration abruptly ended by Priest.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinnacle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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