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
At their peak, Indian large-cap stocks in the iShares MSCI India ETF were being valued at nearly 30 times the earnings, significantly higher than their five-year average. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025 The benchmark index as of Wednesday was still down 12.5% from its peak two months ago. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
While some warn that gold’s rally may be peaking, the broader view is clear: As long as global tensions simmer and policy whiplash rules, gold’s shine isn’t fading anytime soon. —Catherine Baab, Quartz, 22 Apr. 2025 Read the Customs and Border Protection report: Monthly encounter trends peaked in the Miami Sector in 2023, with the highest numbers recorded between December and March, reaching up to 1,357 in January. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 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
  • Dense banks of sponges cling to the summits and slopes of underwater mountains.
    — Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
  • John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.
    — Stephen S. Hall, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of mountain
Noun
  • Many recalled his legacy as the first pope from Latin America, and the first Jesuit to reach the pinnacle of church hierarchy, one who stressed humility over hubris for a church beset with scandal and indifference.
    — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This term refers to a degree of competence that suggests the individual is among the small fraction of people who have reached the pinnacle of their profession.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Martinez suggests that tall hats can create the illusion of height for petite figures, while wide brims generally complement taller individuals.
    — Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Retailing at $235 at full price and now marked down to $188, the style is available in two different brims.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of brim
Verb
  • By the first quarter of 2025, the most recent survey, that number had surged to 54%.
    — Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • In the years since, the number of people killed in crashes has surged.
    — Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of surge
Noun
  • Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna applauds the fans (Alex Broadway/Getty Images) This would be the zenith, a crescendo of noise.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Conclusion Just as the zenith of economic and earnings optimism in early 2025 gave way to creeping concerns about the durability of growth under pressure from possible tariff increases, maximum pessimism will eventually give way to a better reality.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of zenith
Verb
  • Tesla has increased North American sourcing for parts of many models over the last two years, which would decrease tariff exposure for the E41, two people aware of the matter said.
    — Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025
  • What Murray did in the second half was increase his aggression off the dribble.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase
Noun
  • Fit is essential, so tailor your dress to your heel height to ensure a polished look.
    — Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Data was collected on the participants' eating and lifestyle habits, blood pressure, medical history, and height and weight.
    — Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of height
Verb
  • Contemporary Native designers are cresting everything from suiting and gowns to streetwear and even athletic wear.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Mudslides and cresting rivers there destroyed around 2,300 structures.
    — Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 2025.

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