pinnacle

noun

ˈpi-ni-kəl How to pronounce pinnacle (audio)
Definition of pinnaclenext
as in zenith
the highest part or point a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinnacle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinnacle are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to pinnacle?

Although the words acme and pinnacle 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

When is it sensible to use apex instead of pinnacle?

The meanings of apex and pinnacle largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When could climax be used to replace pinnacle?

The words climax and pinnacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 pinnacle?

In some situations, the words culmination and pinnacle are roughly equivalent. However, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When might peak be a better fit than pinnacle?

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

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When can summit be used instead of pinnacle?

The words summit and pinnacle can be used in similar contexts, but 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 pinnacle Not so long ago, the Polaris RZR Pro R was the pinnacle of retail side-by-side domination, the most powerful, fire-breathing hunk of off-highway 4-wheeling the world over. —New Atlas, 9 Feb. 2026 The abstracting reached its pinnacle (nadir) with an insidious Alexa ad featuring Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026 Grasping the profound reality that humans are not the pinnacle of evolution, but one branch among many, is foundational for all modern biology. —Kevin Omland, The Conversation, 9 Feb. 2026 As the song reached its pinnacle, Jones put her hand to her chest, looked directly into the camera and let her voice soar. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pinnacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinnacle
  1. zenith
  2. top
  3. peak
  4. culmination
  5. height
  6. apex
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
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Hill said the changes to modular housing are the culmination of a 40-year effort.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The attorneys went on to argue that Pavlovich’s lawsuits were the culmination of a plan to smear Gaiman and that any legal disputes should be resolved in New Zealand, not the United States.
    — Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of culmination
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 apex of the sun's motion through space is near the summer star Vega, almost opposite in the sky from Orion.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Regina is the teenage apex predator of North Shore High, always looking for an opportunity to bolster her impeccable popularity or take down a potential rival.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of apex

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on pinnacle

Nglish: Translation of pinnacle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinnacle

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