as in apocalyptic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point
the French Revolution is usually regarded as one of the climactic events in modern European history
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Recent Examples of climactic
During a climactic confrontation on campus, Maggie, in a pique of outrage, slaps Alma across the face—something that Roberts insisted Edebiri do for real.
—
Marley Marius, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Another tells of what happened to Shihirlis, the lovelorn thief played by Kilmer in the 1995 movie, in the aftermath of the first movie’s climactic robbery, and his multiyear quest to reunite with his former girlfriend (who was played by Judd in the original).
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Even diligent Webberheads will need to overlook certain gaffes, like a hero who seems to have tied himself up in a climactic moment and a Stygian lair well marked with glowing Exit signs.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
At least the climactic pandemonium has some of that old REC intensity; Plaza dynamically orchestrates the violence, dazzling the eyes of his audience one minute, gouging the eyes of his characters the next.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Marley Marius, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
Another tells of what happened to Shihirlis, the lovelorn thief played by Kilmer in the 1995 movie, in the aftermath of the first movie’s climactic robbery, and his multiyear quest to reunite with his former girlfriend (who was played by Judd in the original).
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
Even diligent Webberheads will need to overlook certain gaffes, like a hero who seems to have tied himself up in a climactic moment and a Stygian lair well marked with glowing Exit signs.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
At least the climactic pandemonium has some of that old REC intensity; Plaza dynamically orchestrates the violence, dazzling the eyes of his audience one minute, gouging the eyes of his characters the next.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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His pre-teen son in tow, Luis joins up with a crusty group of dancers who are heading to a secret party in the heart of the desert, where the beats will be loud enough to drown out the sounds of the apocalyptic war that’s brewing around them.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
10 Oct. 2025
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Season 1 left us with a very apocalyptic arrival and a very clear tease of Gambit serving as this Angel of Death role.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For director and producer Robert Eric Wise, the goal of the documentary was to introduce more young people to the work and accomplishments of pivotal Black Fort Worth residents.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
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Chris Jones’ effort — or lack thereof — on a pivotal late play became a national talking point.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The initiative will help ensure reliable access to critical medicines, minerals, defense capabilities, and energy and microchips to power AI, Dimon said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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Rare earth minerals are critical to military applications, as well as to semiconductor and auto industries.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
15 July 2025
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For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale.—
Claire Messud,
Harper's Magazine,
22 June 2021
Adjective
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The Blue Jays will await their ALCS opponent, as the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers are set for a decisive Game 5 at T-Mobile Park on Friday night.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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After taking steps in his defensive game last season, Matthews continued to track back and make decisive plays with his stick while defending.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The deal accelerated over several crucial moments — Israel’s strike on Qatar, discussions on the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York City and Jared Kushner’s conversations with his father-in-law, these sources said.—
Yamiche Alcindor,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
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Health care has become even more crucial, the union argues, with the possibility that rates under the Affordable Care Act might increase dramatically in coming months.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Transgender people were particularly targeted for harassment, Miss Major said in the USA TODAY interview, recalling the night of the raid, now regarded as a watershed moment in LGBTQ+ history and American history.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
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Its arrival marks a watershed moment for the creator economy — and for the comedians trying to make waves within it.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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