summit
17 synonyms and 4 antonyms for summit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The highest point of a mountain or hill.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use summit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French somet/sommet, a diminutive of som ("highest point"), ultimately from Latin summus ("highest").
Full origin of summit →Frequently asked questions
What does “summit” mean?
The word “summit” means the highest point of a mountain or hill. In plain terms, the very top — of a mountain, or of political power, as in a high-level meeting.
How do you pronounce “summit”?
“Summit” is pronounced SUH-miht (/ˈsʌmət/ in IPA).
How do you use “summit” in a sentence?
Here is “summit” used in a sentence: “They reached the summit just before sunrise.”
What is another word for “summit”?
Words with a similar meaning to “summit” include apex, apogee, crest, crown, culmen and fastigium.
What is the opposite of “summit”?
The opposite of “summit” — its antonyms — are base, foundation, nadir and trough.
What part of speech is “summit”?
Depending on how it is used, “summit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “summit” come from?
The word “summit” comes from Latin. From Old French somet/sommet, a diminutive of som ("highest point"), ultimately from Latin summus ("highest").
Is “summit” a common word?
“Summit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a summit and a peak?
Both refer to the top of a mountain, but 'summit' specifically names the single highest point you reach. 'Peak' can describe the pointed top of a mountain or the whole mountain seen as a pointed mass, so a mountain may have several peaks but one summit.
Why is a meeting of leaders called a summit?
A summit meeting borrows the image of the highest point: it is a gathering of the top leaders of different countries or organisations to discuss major issues. The word conveys that the most senior people, at the 'top' of their governments, are the ones meeting.
What words commonly go with 'summit'?
In the mountain sense you often see 'reach the summit', 'summit push', and 'summit ridge'. In the political sense, common pairings include 'summit meeting', 'peace summit', 'climate summit', and 'hold a summit'.
Is 'summit' the same as 'climax'?
They both suggest a highest point, but a summit is a literal or figurative top, especially of a mountain or a hierarchy. A 'climax' is the most intense or decisive moment in a sequence of events, so a story reaches a climax while a climber reaches a summit.