apex

noun

ˈā-ˌpeks How to pronounce apex (audio)
Definition of apexnext
1
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point she reached the apex of fame, only to find it wasn't what she expected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tip
the last and usually sharp or tapering part of something long and narrow the apex of the spear

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun apex differ from other similar words?

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

the apex of Dutch culture

When might acme be a better fit than apex?

While the synonyms acme and apex are close in meaning, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Where would climax be a reasonable alternative to apex?

In some situations, the words climax and apex are roughly equivalent. However, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When could culmination be used to replace apex?

The meanings of culmination and apex largely overlap; however, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When is peak a more appropriate choice than apex?

The words peak and apex can be used in similar contexts, but peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

In what contexts can pinnacle take the place of apex?

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

the pinnacle of worldly success

When would summit be a good substitute for apex?

The words summit and apex are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 apex At the apex of these physics-finding machines sits the Large Hadron Collider, which in 2022 started its third operational run. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2026 While wolves are apex predators, Hunnicutt says deadly attacks on humans are extremely rare, with only a handful reported in North America over the past 100 years. —Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026 Before yesterday, Catherine O’Hara seemed to be near the apex of her comedic powers, landing two Emmy nominations just last fall for her incredible work on The Studio and the beloved adaptation of The Last of Us. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026 The invasive apex predators have expanded their reproductive range north from Everglades National Park to Lake Okeechobee and the suburbs of Fort Myers. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apex
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apex
  1. pinnacle
  2. tip
  3. zenith
  4. end
  5. top
  6. cusp
  7. height
  8. peak
Noun
  • But there’s one Michter’s expression that trumps all of these in terms of value and age—Celebration Sour Mash, a blend of whiskeys that represents the pinnacle of the distillery’s portfolio that has returned for 2026.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
    — Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Any tips on planning a trip here?
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Indigenous hunters, for example, used one type of dart frog poison on the tips of their arrows.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of tip
Noun
  • During her three decades at the family business, Donatella Versace took this philosophy to its zenith, pairing outrageous designs with just the right celebrity, to proclaim that a plunging neckline, or a sparkly jumpsuit, was a statement of empowerment.
    — Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • States Are Taking Control From Markets As an economist, Fatih Birol underlines that the era of open, supply-and-demand energy markets, which found its zenith in the 1990s and 2000s, is effectively over.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • Slow pulsations near the end of the AGB phase lead to ejecta, but these ejecta are rarely visible directly.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The vote on Tuesday sought to extend previous language that blocked tariff repeal resolutions from getting a vote, which expired at the end of January.
    — Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of end
Noun
  • Olympians – athletes at the top of their sport and in prime health – are idolized and often viewed as superhuman.
    — Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Following the rally, Larson and Jeffries left for a fundraising dinner at The Foundry restaurant at the top of the Hartford Steam Boiler building, a frequent location for fundraisers when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi came to town.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • For many schools, that means expanding technical education classes, building partnerships with local businesses, and getting creative with transporting teens — some just on the cusp of learning to drive — to part-time work.
    — Carley Lanich, IndyStar, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The Patriots finished the season 14-3, Maye passed for more than 4,000 yards, 31 touchdowns and – while his playoff performances haven’t exactly been outstanding – Maye has brought his team to the cusp of yet another Patriot Super Bowl title.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of cusp
Noun
  • The ball of the shoe to the heel has a tapered height, with the heel reaching three inches for a little extra thickness.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Yabusele is a 6-foot-7 forward who makes up for a slight lack of height with a powerful frame and aggressive approach around the basket.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • The airline will offer a total of seven peak daily flights to its third-largest hub, the Enquirer previously reported.
    — Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Wright cited statistics showing that natural gas -- long the nation's leading source of electricity -- provided 43% of electric power at peak generation during the storm, followed by coal at 24% and nuclear at 15%.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of peak

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Cite this Entry

“Apex.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apex. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of apex for Spanish Speakers

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