peak 1 of 2

noun

ˈpēk How to pronounce peak (audio)
Definition of peaknext
1
as in mountain
an elevation of land higher than a hill the nearest peak worth climbing is hundreds of miles away

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point a pop singer at the peak of her career

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brim
the projecting front part of a hat or cap accidentally stepped on the hat and crushed the peak

Synonyms & Similar Words

peak

2 of 2

verb

as in to surge

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Light-duty vehicle production in Canada hit 1.54 million vehicles last year, up from a recent low of 1.1 million in 2021, but still a 47% decline from the country's peak of 2.9 million in 2000, according to industry data provided by the Global Automakers of Canada trade association. —Michael Wayland, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2025 Estimates suggest that America’s debt as a percentage of GDP will soon exceed the Second World War peak. —David McWilliams, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
Insults and demeaning remarks against immigrants have seemingly peaked in recent years and are inescapable. —Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025 This figure increased from 2020, yet the cesarean delivery rate peaked in 2009 at 32.9%. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for peak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for peak
  1. mountain
  2. pinnacle
  3. brim
  4. surge
  5. zenith
  6. increase
  7. height
  8. crest
Noun
  • Measurements officials have taken at about 260 sites across the Sierra show that the northern mountains have more snow than the southern areas.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In 2024, officials implemented the first tourist tax of ¥2,000 (about $13.33) and a visitor limit for the iconic and sacred mountain due to an influx of human traffic jams and littering, USA TODAY previously reported.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of mountain
Noun
  • The golf tournament also runs alongside the NCAA Tournament Final Four starting Saturday, April 5 in San Antonio where all four No. 1 seeds won Elite Eight games to advance to college basketball’s pinnacle at the Final Four.
    — Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • With big briny flavors, blue cheese, and crushed olives with lemon, this is truly the pinnacle of appetizers and belongs next to any charcuterie board.
    — Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • My favorites tend to possess a large brim that falls in gentle folds around my face, covering my now shorter and remorselessly thinning hair and quite sensitively shadowing the varied assaults of time on my complexion.
    — Judith Viorst, Allure, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The idea of a hat is so simple — a head covering, usually with identifiable traits like a brim and a crown— yet its borders become slippery in the hands of one Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
    — Kinsey Jasnoch, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of brim
Verb
  • Here, against Manchester City in this season’s first knockout round, for example, as the ball makes its way out to Ferland Mendy from a short goal kick, all three Madrid midfielders surge across in support, dragging the opposition defensive structure over to the left.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The fallout could be seen in higher consumer prices, job cuts, and a surging recession risk.
    — Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of surge
Noun
  • Kitamura’s actor, too, has achieved a kind of creative and professional zenith only after renouncing the prospect of such a home, and Xavier’s claim suddenly confronts her with the alternative reality of being a very different kind of character: a mother.
    — Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Simon Fisher-Becker, who reached a career zenith in the original Harry Potter film and Doctor Who on television, died on Sunday, March 9.
    — Marc Berman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of zenith
Verb
  • That reticence could conceivably involve suppressing concerns about how the U.S. military’s increasing involvement in domestic missions is placing strains on resources and readiness.
    — Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025
  • But construction materials, computer parts, cooling infrastructure, and power supplies are just some of the costs that are likely to increase as a result of the tariffs.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase
Noun
  • This change makes the full height of the screen available for displaying photos rather than reserving a bar at the bottom just for buttons.
    — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The future of women’s boxing is now, and MVP is proud to lead the charge in taking the sport to unprecedented heights.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of height
Verb
  • In Frankfort, the Kentucky River crested at its second-highest level on record Monday morning, just shy of 1978’s devastating flooding and worryingly close to what the city’s flood protections can handle.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • However, fast-responding creeks like Stranger Creek in Easton in Leavenworth County could crest into a minor flood stage.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of crest

Browse Nearby Words

peachy keen
peak
peaked
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Cite this Entry

“Peak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peak. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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