summit 1 of 2

summit

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun summit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of summit are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and pinnacle. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

When could acme be used to replace summit?

The words acme and summit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When might apex be a better fit than summit?

In some situations, the words apex and summit are roughly equivalent. However, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When can climax be used instead of summit?

While in some cases nearly identical to summit, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When would culmination be a good substitute for summit?

Although the words culmination and summit have much in common, 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 peak instead of summit?

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

an artist working at the peak of her powers

Where would pinnacle be a reasonable alternative to summit?

The synonyms pinnacle and summit are sometimes interchangeable, but pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

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 summit
Noun
On the French ascent to Mont Blanc’s summit alone, an average of about ten climbers a year have perished since 2018. Paul Hockenos, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025 The group followed that with its 1963 sophomore LP (Moving), which spent eight weeks at No. 2, foiled from the summit by Vaughn Meader’s comedy smash The First Family. Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
That said, there are still a number of elite climbers who have summited Everest without oxygen. Jim Clash, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024 The three, who flew to the area on November 30, were planning to summit the 12,218-foot alpine mountain via Zurbriggen Ridge and were reported overdue to meet their flight back out Monday morning, New Zealand police said on Tuesday. James Legge, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for summit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • His vision of Southern America, blasted by crime, poverty and inequality, has put him on Barack Obama’s annual reading list and at the pinnacle of contemporary Southern noir.
    Vulture Editors, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Wimbledon, which has always been the pinnacle of tennis, is lagging behind in that respect.
    Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That means Kelce can ascend to No. 1 on the list with 343 receiving yards in the playoffs.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 Jan. 2025
  • With the addition of the new dates, the 27-year-old from Sinaloa goes bicoastal, a reflection of his rapidly ascending stardom.
    Griselda Flores, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The text at the top of the video lists conservative commentator Benny Johnson as the source.
    Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
  • At the top of this season, those missions are done.
    Megan Vick, Variety, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Cotton collaborations Partnerships play an essential role in establishing and scaling regenerative cotton programs.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Duffy has not been a fan of the current administration’s support for electric vehicles and could have the authority to scale back programs implemented under President Joe Biden.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • In 1980, Spacek reached a career zenith with her Oscar-winning performance as the legendary Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter.
    Marc Berman, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • His candidacy again surmounted innumerable obstacles and defied much of a political establishment that views him with utter disdain.
    James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Following up the arrival of Wicked Part One and Gladiator II at the box office right before Thanksgiving is a feat in and of itself, but following a beloved first feature installment gave Moana 2 even more of a wave to surmount.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The National Weather Service warned that the ongoing Santa Ana windstorm could be the most powerful in over a decade, with peak intensity expected in the early hours of Wednesday.
    Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Many drivers entering Manhattan’s congestion relief zone south of 60th street will be charged a once-per-day toll of $9 during peak hours between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • How can breast cancer support groups help patients and survivors?
    Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2024
  • Advertisement Cronin doesn’t feel like a marathoner who has breasted the tape so much as one in the middle of a race.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near summit

Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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