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
South Africa holds the rotational presidency of the G20 group of developed and developing nations and is due to host world leaders and top diplomats for a summit in Johannesburg in November. —Time, 14 Apr. 2025 Viola Davis is President Danielle Sutton, who summons the world's most powerful leaders to the G20 summit in South Africa. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 11 Apr. 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 cut is also inching closer to the pinnacle of both the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Streaming Songs charts.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This version of Florida does have some conspicuous differences from the one Billy Donovan first led to the pinnacle in 2006, nine years after arriving from Marshall.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 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
  • If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, the top of a hill, or a ridge top.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Veteran pollster Nate Silver predicted Ocasio-Cortez will be at the top of the Democratic presidential ticket in 2028.
    — Cate Martel, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of top
Verb
  • The trip was later scaled back to just a visit to the space base.
    — Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The trip was scaled back after pushback from Greenlandic and Danish officials.
    — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of scale
Noun
  • Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna applauds the fans (Alex Broadway/Getty Images) This would be the zenith, a crescendo of noise.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Conclusion Just as the zenith of economic and earnings optimism in early 2025 gave way to creeping concerns about the durability of growth under pressure from possible tariff increases, maximum pessimism will eventually give way to a better reality.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of zenith
Verb
  • Defenseman Darnell Nurse should see his first action since Feb. 25 after surmounting a minor injury.
    — Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 3 Mar. 2025
  • By embracing innovative digital solutions, independent practices can surmount longstanding barriers, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of surmount
Noun
  • Dell rates this ultrawide monitor at 350 nits (candelas per square meter) of brightness, though in our tests, the monitor reached a peak luminance of just 265 nits.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Doncic was traded seemingly at the peak of his career, which made the trade even more shocking and inexplicable.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 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 22 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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