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 movie’s success is the culmination of a career that’s seen Baker make the most of shoestring budgets and film whole movies on an iPhone. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2025 The victory lap was the culmination of a remarkable four years that saw voters boot Trump from office, only to take him back in 2024, this time more determined to remake America in his image. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 The attack was the culmination of a confrontation that began earlier when witnesses say the teens hit the man’s vehicle, police said. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 Getting to the Champions League would be the culmination of a meteoric rise. —James Pearce, The Athletic, 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
  • For the special event, Brown wore a form-fitting, black strapless gown that featured a low-cut, structured, corset-like top.
    — Angel Saunders, People.com, 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
  • The core motion module is capable of a maximum joint torque of 300 N·m, a peak torque density of 203 N·m/kg, and exceptional mobility with a walking speed of 2 m/s, along with a natural human-like gait.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 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
Definition of peak
Noun
  • Higher, faster, changing keys, breaking off into riffs and climaxes.
    — Anelise Chen, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The melodies exude charm; the harmonic design mirrors the changing moods of the plot; the climaxes are surely plotted.
    — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of climax
Noun
  • Ancient apex carnivores Hyaenodonta fossils have been found across North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
    — Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The film’s comedic apex arguably arrives when Coppola tosses in a quick shot of the villainous Clodio Pulcher (Shia LaBeouf) power walking across marble floors, three henchmen in tow.
    — Vulture Staff, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
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 17 Mar. 2025.

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