summit 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mət How to pronounce summit (audio)
Definition of summitnext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point a new movie that some enthusiastic reviewers are already calling the summit of cinematic achievement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

summit

2 of 2

verb

as in to ascend

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
South Africa holds the rotational presidency of the G20 group of developed and developing nations and is due to host world leaders and top diplomats for a summit in Johannesburg in November. —Time, 14 Apr. 2025 Viola Davis is President Danielle Sutton, who summons the world's most powerful leaders to the G20 summit in South Africa. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
Officials are also cracking down on bullet climbing, or attempting to summit the mountain in one day, by closing the gate from 2 p.m. to 3 a.m. every day except for those with overnight hut reservations. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025 The map shows the hiker’s planned route: an about 4-mile long out-and-back trek to summit Mt. Williamson over the course of nearly three hours, a photo shared by rescuers shows. —Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for summit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summit
  1. pinnacle
  2. ascend
  3. top
  4. scale
  5. zenith
  6. surmount
  7. peak
  8. breast
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
  • An unlikely ‘Captain Canuck’ While the debates were anti-climactic, Carney’s extraordinary ride to the pinnacle of Canadian politics has been anything but.
    — Paula Newton, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • As Neo has ascended, Partovi has not been afraid to call out the competition.
    — Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • If a step can be taken back from counting all those wins, the takeaway from an early season game should be that Randy Vásquez is clearly ascending.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of ascend
Noun
  • City has been a long way from the top of English and European soccer.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Driving change starts at the top — lead by example.
    — Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Verb
  • Start small, solve a real problem, and scale strategically.
    — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration, among other things, has moved to close Social Security Administration field offices, cut funding for government health programs and scale back protections for transgender people.
    — Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of scale
Noun
  • At that point Jupiter is just visible in the west, about 32 degrees above the horizon (this is about a third of the way up to the zenith).
    — Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • All told, the other top candidates who could be elevated to the zenith of the Catholic Church are four Italians, one Spanish, one French, one Ghanaian and one Maltese.
    — Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of zenith
Verb
  • Defenseman Darnell Nurse should see his first action since Feb. 25 after surmounting a minor injury.
    — Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 3 Mar. 2025
  • By embracing innovative digital solutions, independent practices can surmount longstanding barriers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of surmount
Noun
  • Economic news Consumer sentiment was at the lowest since 2022, which marked the peak of the post-pandemic inflation spike, in the second April reading from the University of Michigan.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • On the western slope of the northern Sierra Nevada and western Plumas County, up to 10 inches of snow will be possible over the highest peaks, with winds gusting up to 35 miles per hour.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of peak
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
Definition of breast

Browse Nearby Words

summing up
summit
summited
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Cite this Entry

“Summit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summit. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on summit

Nglish: Translation of summit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about summit

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