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 the template had been set, Paris was marked as a shorthand for the pinnacle of female achievement—only the most stylish, successful, and generally it would be summoned there—and established as the option only a truly singular love could outshine.—
Megan Angelo,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
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Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One is the continued dominance of Argentina, 10 points clear at the top with one round of matches remaining.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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An adjustable buckle across the top keeps them in place, and their closed-toe design helps keep feet warm as temperatures get colder.—
Melody Kazel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The speakers and attendees outlined their vision for the world at a time when national conservatism has reached its zenith of influence.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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These continued every few days for the better part of the next year, one Bowyer would look back on as a personal and professional zenith.—
DAVID AMSDEN,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Heeled mules are the ideal way to take both your style and your feet (literally) to new heights.—
Amber Cardullo,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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Recently, however, both teams have elevated themselves to greater heights.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For Ethiopia the unveiling of the 74-billion cubic meter dam, which has been 14 years in the making and cost $5 billion, was the culmination of a dream and proved the East African nation the winner in a bitter diplomatic battle over its construction.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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Both her book and her broader platform reflect the culmination of years spent recognizing women’s struggles, listening deeply to their stories, and guiding them toward empowerment and transformation.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
10 Sep. 2025
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The roller coaster kept climbing higher and dropping lower until a decade and a half ago, when the film and TV star hit a new peak, then imploded.—
Oren Peleg,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The most challenging accusations reach the libertarian administration's apex—the Mileis themselves.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Liverpool are simply higher up the food chain — although the apex predator remains Real Madrid, who captured Trent Alexander-Arnold from Anfield earlier in the summer.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High-water mark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-water%20mark. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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