summit 1 of 2

summit

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun summit differ from other similar words?

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

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

When could acme be used to replace summit?

The words acme and summit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When might apex be a better fit than summit?

In some situations, the words apex and summit are roughly equivalent. However, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When can climax be used instead of summit?

While in some cases nearly identical to summit, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When would culmination be a good substitute for summit?

Although the words culmination and summit have much in common, 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 peak instead of summit?

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

an artist working at the peak of her powers

Where would pinnacle be a reasonable alternative to summit?

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

the pinnacle of worldly success

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 summit
Noun
Zelenskyy will meet King Charles III on Sunday in addition to participating in the European leaders' summit, a spokesperson confirmed to ABC News. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2025 The Ukrainian leader met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as planned, on Saturday, and is still set to attend the summit of European leaders in London on Sunday, focusing on Ukraine and European security. Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
You who summited your own mountain and brought us along with you. Stephanie Petit, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 While filming a documentary on the mountain, a National Geographic team spotted the frozen foot and sock of Andrew Comyn Irvine, a British explorer who attempted to summit Everest with partner George Mallory. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
Noun
  • For many people, going to Harvard University is the pinnacle of education, but in reality, less than four percent of applicants get accepted into the prestigious Ivy League school.
    Alyce Collins, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • An elite teenage athlete like Malinin ends up making trade offs in order to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
    Tim Genske, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the Vaca Range on the east side of the area, elevations rise to 1,400 feet and receive sun late in the day, while vineyards in the Mayacamas Mountains on the west side ascend to a more moderate 500 feet and benefit from afternoon shade.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
  • While Baylor football descended into football abyss, Joe’s career ascended in banking and private business.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The front of the washed check contained a handwritten Connecticut driver’s license number at the top, per bank policy.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Sam Fender has soared to the top of the U.K. Albums Chart with the biggest opening week for a British solo act since 2022 (Feb. 28).
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Enter our weeknight-friendly recipe, no boiling required and scaled down in size to make just enough for a dining duo—or one person, with enough left over for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner.
    Jessica Saari Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025
  • One of their major healthcare clients needed to scale its data quality efforts across the enterprise.
    Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The ideal time for Feige to seize the Star Wars empire’s throne was after the mic drop that was two back-to-back blockbuster Avengers movies (2018’s Infinity War and 2019’s Endgame), back when Marvel was at a zenith.
    James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Feb. 2025
  • And there have always been wineries that hold back a premium vintage longer than usual before releasing, waiting until a wine nears its zenith to be offered.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • And especially to my father, Bruce Paltrow, who has surmounted insurmountable obstacles this year.
    Lydia Price, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Republicans have additional obstacles to surmount for their party-line bill, including figuring out where to make $2.5 trillion in spending cuts that were mandated by deficit hawks in exchange for a $1.5 trillion debt limit increase in the latest appropriations package passed in December.
    Tobias Burns, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • While Lil Bit of Heaven provides a quiet place to live today, 400,000 people traveled the route during its peak from 1846 to 1869.
    David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2025
  • And this measured approach hasn’t softened prices across the board: the county remains a seller’s market, and overall luxury values remain near historic peaks.
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • How can breast cancer support groups help patients and survivors?
    Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 30 Sep. 2024
  • Advertisement Cronin doesn’t feel like a marathoner who has breasted the tape so much as one in the middle of a race.
    Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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