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
His previous album, Whole Lotta Red, also reached that summit in 2023, accounting for over 100,000 album-equivalent units sold during its first week of release. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025 The conservative-leaning Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), which supports many of the ideas in Project Esther, held a summit earlier this month in New York on battling antisemitism on college campuses. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Some who summit bring a rope while others choose to leave it behind. —Sean McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025 While Grace worked, Wilcox explained that a portion of his party, including himself, had summited on July 18. —Cassidy Randall, Rolling Stone, 2 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
  • The golf tournament also runs alongside the NCAA Tournament Final Four starting Saturday, April 5 in San Antonio where all four No. 1 seeds won Elite Eight games to advance to college basketball’s pinnacle at the Final Four.
    — Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • With big briny flavors, blue cheese, and crushed olives with lemon, this is truly the pinnacle of appetizers and belongs next to any charcuterie board.
    — Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • Two years later, though, Robinson has ascended to the top of the mountain.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Concurrently, millennials, now the largest demographic in the workforce, and some older members of Gen Z are ascending into pivotal decision-making roles in businesses, bringing with them expectations for authenticity, innovation and purpose.
    — Ali Payani, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of ascend
Noun
  • In the top of the seventh inning Friday, Harvey jogged in from the bullpen.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2025
  • In times of great uncertainty, regions that adapt, innovate and respond smartly to changing times rise to the top.
    — Eric J. Gertler, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Verb
  • The trip was scaled back after pushback from Greenlandic and Danish officials.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The trip was later scaled back to just a visit to the space base.
    — Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of scale
Noun
  • Kitamura’s actor, too, has achieved a kind of creative and professional zenith only after renouncing the prospect of such a home, and Xavier’s claim suddenly confronts her with the alternative reality of being a very different kind of character: a mother.
    — Jordan Kisner, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Simon Fisher-Becker, who reached a career zenith in the original Harry Potter film and Doctor Who on television, died on Sunday, March 9.
    — Marc Berman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of zenith
Verb
  • By embracing innovative digital solutions, independent practices can surmount longstanding barriers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The tower will be 80 feet high, surmounted by a wooden tank with a capacity of 67,000 gallons.
    — Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of surmount
Noun
  • The National Park Service declared peak bloom on March 28 for the iconic cherry trees.
    — Lisa Thomson, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Famous specialized in Jewish meals, at its peak serving a million kreplach and three million knishes a year.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 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 15 Apr. 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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