peaked

USAGE SUMMARY

"peaked" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective to describe someone who is appearing at the peak or climax of their strength, energy, or physical appearance. For example: "The actor's performance as the villain peaked during the climactic fight scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was the number one show in every city on Wednesday and peaked at almost 3m viewers nationally, eclipsing shows on other networks such as The Weekly with Charlie Pickering on ABC which averaged 556,00 in the five capital cities.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Alan Hay, of the World Influenza Centre in London, suggested the first wave of illness may have already peaked but could not predict how far levels would fall in this phase of the pandemic.

The Guardian

We've seen in the US, although they peaked many weeks ago, that the level of infection in some of the states is still quite widespread.

The Guardian

I'm worried that they've peaked too soon.

The Guardian

By 1993 Stewart was hosting his own MTV show, but when that show was cancelled in 1995 it seemed he had peaked.

The Guardian

Unemployment was meant to have peaked at 15% in 2012; it now stands at nearly double that with more than 50% of young Greeks out of work.

The Guardian

Sky Sports 1's audience between 5.30pm and 8pm averaged 2 million and peaked at 7.15pm, just into the second half, with 2.7 million.

The Guardian

Personally, I think they'll get it so right they might even get away with the money this time… Ealing Studios' two great directors each peaked with a classic black comedy starring Alec Guinness.

The Guardian

In some more highly qualified sectors, the numbers moving have already peaked.

The Guardian

It features the singles Sing, Thinking Out Loud and Don't, all three of which were hits: Sing became Sheeran's first UK No 1 single and his second US Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit, Don't peaked at No 8 in the UK and Thinking Out Loud was a sleeper hit, entering the No 1 spot after 19 weeks in the charts.

The Guardian - Music

Attacks peaked after the neo-fascists, riding a wave of anti-austerity fury, were catapulted into the 300-seat Athens parliament at the height of the country's financial crisis in May 2012.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "peaked" to describe trends or data, ensure that you clearly indicate the timeframe and metrics used to define the peak. For example, specify "sales peaked in Q2 2024" rather than simply stating "sales peaked".

Common error

Avoid using "peaked" to describe ongoing or continuous achievements. "Peaked" implies a distinct high point followed by a decline or leveling off; if the achievement is sustained, consider using terms like "excelled" or "thrived" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "peaked" is as a verb in the past tense, indicating the action of reaching a maximum point. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is correct and usable in English, conveying a sense of culmination or a high point achieved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "peaked" functions as a past tense verb to describe the act of reaching a maximum point, often implying a subsequent decline. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and widely applicable, especially in news and media contexts. When using "peaked", it's crucial to provide clear context about the timeframe and metrics involved. Avoid using it for sustained achievements without an expected downturn. Consider synonyms like "reached its zenith" or "hit its peak" for variety. Be aware of the neutral formality of the term, and tailor your language to fit the specific context. Ludwig can further assist in refining your usage with additional examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit its peak

A more literal and common way to describe reaching the highest point, similar to "peaked".

reached its high point

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the highest achievement or level.

reached its zenith

Emphasizes the highest point of achievement or success, often suggesting a sense of culmination.

topped out

Indicates that something has reached its highest possible level and is unlikely to go higher.

reached maximum

A direct and simple way to express reaching the highest level or amount.

culminated

Implies a final, decisive high point after a period of development.

maxed out

Similar to "topped out", often used in technical or quantitative contexts to describe reaching a maximum limit.

reached its climax

Suggests a high point of excitement or intensity, often in a narrative or performance.

attained its summit

Similar to reaching a zenith, but often used in the context of a long journey or effort.

ascended to its apex

A more formal and literary way to describe reaching the highest point.

FAQs

How is "peaked" used in a sentence?

The word "peaked" is used to indicate that something has reached its highest point or level before declining. For example: "The company's profits "peaked" in 2024".

What are some alternatives to "peaked"?

Instead of "peaked", you can use alternatives like "reached its zenith", "hit its peak", or "culminated", depending on the context.

What does it mean when something is described as "peaked"?

When something is described as having "peaked", it means it has reached its highest level of achievement, intensity, or value at a particular point in time, and is often followed by a decline or leveling off.

Is it correct to say that something "peaked" if it is still at its highest level?

While "peaked" typically implies a subsequent decline, it can be used to describe the current highest level if there's an expectation or indication that it will soon decrease. Otherwise, terms like "at its highest" or "currently leading" might be more appropriate.