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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

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
Coronavirus levels detected in the county’s wastewater have increased by 6% in the last three weeks, but also remain relatively low and are about one-eighth of the peak in the summer of last year. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025 The feud reached its peak when Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, known by his rap alias the Notorious B.I.G., were shot and killed within months of each other. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 30 May 2025
Verb
But the number of high school graduates is expected to peak this year and decline for the next decade and a half. Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 28 May 2025 But content production peaked in 2022, and the world’s entertainment capital has since been battered by a global contraction. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
Noun
  • The clip transitioned into a few family photos before showcasing videos of his children doing impressive flips and jumps down the mountain, with the ease of professionals.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 27 May 2025
  • The 33-year-old inmate, Angel Gaxiola, was discovered missing by the staff during a head count at Holton Conservation Camp, which is in the mountains northeast of Sylmar, about 9 p.m. Sunday, the department said.
    Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Surf Ranch in Fresno, created by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, became a pinnacle of wave technology, but has a hefty price tag in the tens of thousands to access.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
  • Love probably needs to play like a $220 million quarterback for the Packers to reach the sport’s pinnacle.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The fans couldn’t have been more fired up for this show, something that was made abundantly clear when the lights dimmed and a huge roar went up from the mostly young, female crowd that filled the arena to its absolute brim.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
  • The queen consort added a coordinated hat to her ensemble with an exaggerated brim and appliqué at the side.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • Guyanese officials say cross-border incursions have surged since 2022, with some frontier zones effectively under the control of foreign criminal networks.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025
  • The share of total minutes recorded for players 6-foot-3 or shorter had been falling for a while—from 23% to 18% between 2008-09 to 2018-19—but momentarily surged up to 22% because of the change in height measurement.
    Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Valerie Mahaffey, who reached a career zenith in 1992 with an Emmy win for Best Supporting actress in a Drama Series for Northern Exposure, died on May 30 after losing her battle with cancer.
    Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • My disappointment at just missing the zenith of this color riot is quickly replaced by a strongly sweet aroma that floods my nose while passing through Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort’s imposing entrance.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Tacoma did its own analysis and found that people with a regular housing voucher, and no time limit, actually fared better at increasing their incomes and moving on.
    Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • Mahan won his first term as mayor in 2022 with 51.3% of the vote after residents pushed to move the mayoral election to align with the presidential one to increase voter turnout.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • Choosing perennials with long bloom times, along with different heights and colors, adds charm and depth to the garden.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
  • Budget $300 to $500 for these pots, preferably in two or three different heights.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Chicken The national average crested above $2 per pound for fresh, whole chicken for the first time last year and hit a record high of $2.08 in November.
    Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Hughes logged huge minutes throughout the contest, cresting 25 total minutes played before overtime even began.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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