climactic

adjective

klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
Definition of climacticnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 climactic Don’t miss Raja, a heart-pumping tube slide with a 37-foot drop as its climactic finish. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 Part 1 is expected to culminate with the abduction itself, leaving the rescue campaign and the climactic battle for Part 2. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026 On Saturday, Gosling surprised audiences at Marvel Studios’ climactic Hall H panel, where the superhero studio revealed that he had been cast as Ghost Rider in a new solo film. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 This climactic spot only made fans more uncomfortable, though some gave the spot polite applause. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
  1. apocalyptic
  2. pivotal
  3. critical
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. crucial
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • Just when this summer couldn’t get more apocalyptic, a packaging defect has led Schwarzkopf’s parent company, Henkel, to voluntarily recall its Osis Grip Extra Strong Mousse.
    — James Manso, Allure, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The landscape in the southernmost part of Chilean Patagonia, often called the End of the World, has a post-apocalyptic quality.
    — Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of apocalyptic
Adjective
  • Young adult dramas have always been pivotal to Netflix’s programming.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For one of the men in particular, the type of hustling, defiant gay life that John Rechy describes in his nonfiction book The Sexual Outlaw is pivotal.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Howard also claims the judge rushed a critical closed‑door hearing, limiting the defense's ability to prepare.
    — CBS Texas Staff, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Rosalind Franklin captured the critical X-ray diffraction image that proved the double-helix structure of DNA.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The Maracana is one of soccer's most iconic venues, having hosted the decisive match of the 1950 men's World Cup, with Uruguay crowned champions after beating the hosts 2-1.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Quinn Yeargain, a professor of the law of democracy at Michigan State University College of Law, said Median’s intent would be a decisive factor in determining whether any laws were broken.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
  • 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
Definition of climacteric
Adjective
  • This extended to her closest competitors in the Tour, after Niewiadoma-Phinney accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of boxing her in during the crucial penultimate stage.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • This is a watershed moment for generative AI and large language models (LLMs).
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The unanimous ruling was seen by supporters of self-identification as a watershed moment, pushing India ahead of much of South Asia on transgender rights.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

climacterics
climactic
climate
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Cite this Entry

“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of climactic for Spanish Speakers

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