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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Young reached the pinnacle of success in high school at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.—he was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020—and in college at Alabama.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
7 July 2025
-
America stands as the pinnacle and leader of Western civilization.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 July 2025
Noun
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The first came in the top of the fourth when Buehler walked Josh Lowe and served up a two-run home run to Ha-Seong Kim, his first of the season to put the Rays ahead 2-1.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
11 July 2025
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Drizzle with oil, top with feta, cilantro, black pepper, and the reserved shrimp legs, and serve.—
Greg Chelmis,
Saveur,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The relationship embodies the zenith of the client-advisor dynamic, one that extends beyond the scope and term of a contract or the legacy boundaries of functional expertise.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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For such a humanist filmmaker, Boyle reached his zenith by pondering us at our lowest point.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The river reached its second-highest height on record, surpassing a 1987 flood level, according to the National Weather Service.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
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Chambray may be a humble fabric, but 100 Hands has elevated it to new heights with its Iced Washed Japanese Chambray Shirt.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
7 July 2025
Noun
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For Jake, who played basketball at Washington University from 2021 to 2023, draft night was a culmination of the family’s dream: older brother Josh also played college ball at Lehigh University.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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Receiving this honorary Oscar is the culmination of a dream.—
Jon Burlingame,
Variety,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
From the peaks of the Southern Alps to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, the country offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern living.—
Alex Ledsom,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Halfway through 2025, reported cases have already surpassed 1,274 − the peak for all of 2019.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Noun
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The deadly apex aliens have finally revealed themselves, rapidly spreading their deadly spikes across the planet.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
5 July 2025
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The apex of sweet wine from Sicily can be found in a glass of Donnafuguta Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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