as in pinnacle
the highest part or point
he hit the high-water mark of his acting career when he played Tiny Tim in a school play
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Recent Examples of high-water mark
The Weeknd reached a new high-water mark on Spotify this week.
—
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
How San Francisco settles the debate could reverberate throughout the reparations movement, setting a high-water mark for an effort that has been criticized for, so far, producing small sums.
—Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
This year’s crop of competitors is a far cry from recent years when the starting roster has approached triple digits, hitting a high-water mark of 96 mushers in 2008 (though a more modest number, 78, crossed the finish line).
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
In Paso Robles, dozens of makeshift encampments sprang up along roadways, above the Salinas’ high-water mark.
—Jeremy Miller, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for high-water mark
Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
How San Francisco settles the debate could reverberate throughout the reparations movement, setting a high-water mark for an effort that has been criticized for, so far, producing small sums.
—Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
This year’s crop of competitors is a far cry from recent years when the starting roster has approached triple digits, hitting a high-water mark of 96 mushers in 2008 (though a more modest number, 78, crossed the finish line).
—Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 22 Feb. 2023
In Paso Robles, dozens of makeshift encampments sprang up along roadways, above the Salinas’ high-water mark.
—Jeremy Miller, WIRED, 18 Feb. 2023
See All Example Sentences for high-water mark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-water mark
Noun
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But after 12 people underwent a 34-day hunger strike in 2015, the pinnacle of a yearslong protest by community leaders determined to keep a neighborhood school, the district reversed its decision.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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The pinnacle of prompt development entails a type of life cycle formalization akin to a rigorous systems development life cycle (SDLC), often noted as the PDLC (prompt development life cycle).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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One lesson from the anti-CAA protests is that change doesn’t always start at the top.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Climb to the top of the lookout tower for bird’s-eye views of the historic district, and learn the town’s history at the hands-on cultural interpretive museum.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Many Republicans have ended their political careers by fighting with Trump, who is now at the zenith of his political power.—
W. James Antle III,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Mar. 2025
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In President Donald Trump’s idealized framing, the United States was at its zenith in the 1890s, when top hats and shirtwaists were fashionable and typhoid fever often killed more soldiers than combat.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The senior guard was determined to make his mark on the program, motivated to take his team to new heights.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
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This pillow has two height options to dial in the perfect amount of neck support.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Federal prosecutors in San Diego said more than 150 law enforcement agents took part in the operation, which was the culmination of a 16-month investigation that had involved undercover drug buys, covert surveillance and wiretaps.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
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One part Whiskey bar, one part world-class Southern kitchen, the popular Downtown Raleigh joint—the culmination of Thor’s ability to show people a good time—opened without him.—
Tyler Shepherd,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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