culmination

noun

ˌkəl-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce culmination (audio)
Definition of culminationnext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point an acting performance that was seen as the culmination of a brilliant career on the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun culmination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of culmination are acme, apex, climax, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When would acme be a good substitute for culmination?

The synonyms acme and culmination are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 culmination?

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

the apex of Dutch culture

When is it sensible to use climax instead of culmination?

The words climax and culmination 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 could peak be used to replace culmination?

The words peak and culmination can be used in similar contexts, but peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When might pinnacle be a better fit than culmination?

Although the words pinnacle and culmination have much in common, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When can summit be used instead of culmination?

While in some cases nearly identical to culmination, 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 culmination The Wildcats’ first such achievement in basketball since the 2019-20 season, which was abbreviated by the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, is the culmination of a multiyear process for Maurer and five other seniors who lost in sectional finals in each of the previous two seasons. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2025 The culmination of each of these aesthetics led to a fun and kitschy lineup. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Mar. 2025 With the Oscars rapidly approaching on March 2, so is the culmination of celebrities' hard work staying healthy and fit throughout the marathon that is awards season. —Justine Fisher, People.com, 26 Feb. 2025 This marks the culmination of a five-year plan, per RZA. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for culmination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culmination
  1. pinnacle
  2. zenith
  3. top
  4. height
  5. peak
  6. climax
  7. apex
Noun
  • Traditionally, family offices have long been seen as the pinnacle of private investment sophistication—highly sophisticated institutional level investors, dedicated to single or small groups of ultra-high-net-worth families to manage their fortunes across generations.
    — Francois Botha, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Red Rocks may be the pinnacle of any tour, but its 9,250 seats are small in comparison to Fiddler's Green Amphitheater (about 17,000).
    — John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Dimash’s Parisian debut reached its zenith on November 5th, with an invitation to perform at a closed-door event hosted at the Élysée Palace, Dimash delivered a performance that seamlessly blended emotional depth and entertainment.
    — SPIN Contributor, SPIN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The era of Peak TV, characterized by an abundance of high-end fiction content, has reached its zenith.
    — Jamie Lang, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • Isabel Marant brought a New Wave edge to men’s and women’s denim, mixing mini wrap skirts and vests with red tartan tops.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Encouraging managers to take action on department-specific feedback prevents issues from piling up at the top and makes solutions feel more personal and effective.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of top
Noun
  • The stand aside, this monitor has ample tilt, height, and swivel adjustments at the ready.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The structure of its web varies throughout the year, with changes in its angle, height above the ground, line density and magnetic orientation, all influenced by seasonal shifts.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of height
Noun
  • Built almost entirely of wood (including wooden pegs instead of metal nails), the Black Hills chapel features six roofs that gradually rise to a peak.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation stands well below a peak attained in 2022, though price increases register nearly a percentage point higher than the Fed's goal of 2%.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of peak
Noun
  • Its wartime atmosphere gives it a sense of dread all its own and its set pieces are all doozies, especially the Statue of Liberty climax.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Hailey faced this challenging role, which ends in a very devastating climax, with grace and dignity.
    — Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of climax
Noun
  • How could anyone ever improve it? Originally released on the Super Nintendo in 1995, Chrono Trigger arrived at the apex of the Japanese RPG golden age.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
  • In 2024 reached the apex of success by winning the WWE World Title from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 41, only to have his celebration abruptly ended by Priest.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of apex

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Cite this Entry

“Culmination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culmination. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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