pinnacle

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

Examples 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 Thanks to this book, pumpkin pie was seen as a pinnacle of a Thanksgiving feast even before the holiday was celebrated nationally, Freeman said. Leah Asmelash, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 While the moviegoing experience itself is obviously the pinnacle of the whole Wicked thing, there’s also plenty of fun to be had in participating in the online discourse; below, find a roundup of our very favorite Wicked memes. Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024 In 2023, Bayer Leverkusen made $58 million dollars, a fraction of what the clubs at the pinnacle of European soccer earn. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024 Of course, the pinnacle of player props has to be the Anytime Touchdown, which is the most electric play in sports. Matt Modi, Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pinnacle 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinnacle
Noun
  • Accommodation in the valley reaches its zenith at Bruma Wine Resort, a masterpiece of sustainable architecture where modernist design meets natural beauty.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • To that point, the job of an editor has evolved considerably since Graydon Carter, Anna Wintour and Tina Brown created the paradigm in the turn-of-the-century zenith of magazines.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Pieces include a 100 percent cotton Japanese French terry top with raglan sleeves and oversized chest pockets, a short-pile cotton velvet hoodie and a medium-weight, cotton twill overshirt.
    Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 12 Dec. 2024
  • By the time that showdown in Montjuic comes around, bitter rival Real Madrid could be a single point clear at the top of the La Liga table after previously trailing Barca by as many as six.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • On March 1, 2021, the abusive behavior reached its peak, alleges the family.
    Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
  • And inflation has dropped from a 9.1% peak in June 2022 to 2.6% last month.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Built in Google's new manufacturing facility in California, Willow is the culmination of over a decade's worth of work.
    Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • This latest partnership between Box and Adobe is the culmination of a decade of cooperation between the two companies.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The price of typical luxury hotels and resorts is reaching eye-watering heights.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Her vision for the team is clear: to build a culture of excellence that honors the franchise’s history while pushing it toward new heights.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The league also announced that the 2024 final peaked at 1.1 million viewers, though which point of match the apex occurred was not revealed.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 26 Nov. 2024
  • Trump sat with all of them, often for hours, reaching millions of conservative or apolitical people, cementing his status as one of them, a sigma, a guy with clout, and the apex of a model of masculinity that prioritizes fame as a virtue unto itself.
    Brian Barrett, WIRED, 6 Nov. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near pinnacle

Cite this Entry

“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinnacle. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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