pinnacle

noun

ˈpi-ni-kəl How to pronounce pinnacle (audio)
Definition of pinnaclenext
as in zenith
the highest part or point a singer who has reached the pinnacle of success

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pinnacle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pinnacle are acme, apex, climax, culmination, peak, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to pinnacle?

Although the words acme and pinnacle have much in common, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When is it sensible to use apex instead of pinnacle?

The meanings of apex and pinnacle largely overlap; however, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When could climax be used to replace pinnacle?

The words climax and pinnacle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

When is culmination a more appropriate choice than pinnacle?

In some situations, the words culmination and pinnacle are roughly equivalent. However, culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When might peak be a better fit than pinnacle?

While the synonyms peak and pinnacle are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

When can summit be used instead of pinnacle?

The words summit and pinnacle can be used in similar contexts, but summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

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 pinnacle Wesley Snipes is the pinnacle of undead cool as the titular daywalker, with Stephen Dorff as his perfect sneering foil. —Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2025 Arches National Park is known for its colorful stone arches, pinnacles and balanced rocks. —Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025 Most apropos is that the statue will be forged by fire, an analogy perfectly befitting Staley and her journey to this pinnacle. —Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025 Looking back on it, the name has traveled far: to the NFL, to a pinnacle of American sports. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pinnacle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinnacle
  1. zenith
  2. top
  3. peak
  4. culmination
  5. height
  6. apex
Noun
  • The end of this series, and specifically Game 5, feels like their zenith.
    — Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 15 May 2025
  • If dandyism is, at least in part, a kind of showy restraint—being seen on purpose without caring so much about how the spectacle is apprehended by others—this was something like its zenith.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 6 May 2025
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • Aliyah Binford put Ole Miss ahead with a 2-out, solo home run to right-center field in the top of the first — her 12th of the season.
    — Ethan Westerman, Arkansas Online, 23 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Bronze could be seen lying at the top of a blow-up slide before sliding down and joining his sister as dad Patrick helped from the sidelines with the activities while Brittany cheered them on.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of top
Noun
  • Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 May 2025
  • The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
Definition of peak
Noun
  • That was the culmination of three consecutive nights of strikes.
    — Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 26 May 2025
  • This new office was the culmination of a 10-year plan that saw the investment giant move offices across Hong Kong, London and within the United States.
    — Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • To prevent the display from looking boring, create visual contrast through elements other than color—just varying the height, size, shape, and texture of the objects will create an eye-catching vignette. 3.
    — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025
  • Yet arguably his greatest achievement was to raise the bar of the entire Premier League, pushing rivals like Manchester City to new heights in order for Pep Guardiola’s men to finish above Liverpool.
    — Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of height
Noun
  • While its spending set a record for a U.S. judicial contest, the race that ended Tuesday was the apex of a trend building for years as state Supreme Court races across the country have gotten increasingly costly and vitriolic.
    — John Hanna, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Music has continued to remain atop the charts and is battling Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe for another week at the apex.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of apex

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Cite this Entry

“Pinnacle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinnacle. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pinnacle

Nglish: Translation of pinnacle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinnacle

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