What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pinnacle
Example
The climbers finally reached the pinnacle of the mountain after a grueling climb. [pinnacle: noun]
Example
Winning the championship was the pinnacle of his athletic career. [pinnacle: noun]
zenith
Example
The sun reached its zenith at noon. [zenith: noun]
Example
The company's profits reached their zenith last year. [zenith: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pinnacle is more commonly used than zenith in everyday language, especially in contexts related to physical heights or achievements. Zenith is less common but is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe abstract heights or success.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pinnacle and zenith?
Zenith is generally considered more formal than pinnacle and is often used in academic or literary writing to describe abstract concepts or achievements.