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
And there's a notable climactic scene in part three of the special that drives that idea home visually and emotionally.
—
Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Fire and Ash picks up as Jake and Neytiri mourn their late son, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), who died during The Way of Water's climactic battle.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The big climactic set piece is somehow both maddeningly ambiguous and head-smackingly obvious, a maximalist attempt at making a statement that talks loud and says nothing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
On occasion, just such a feeling is achieved, especially in the climactic runway sequence, when a rainstorm whips up and epiphanies are experienced.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Devonne Goode, Parents, 1 Oct. 2025
Fire and Ash picks up as Jake and Neytiri mourn their late son, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), who died during The Way of Water's climactic battle.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
The big climactic set piece is somehow both maddeningly ambiguous and head-smackingly obvious, a maximalist attempt at making a statement that talks loud and says nothing.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
On occasion, just such a feeling is achieved, especially in the climactic runway sequence, when a rainstorm whips up and epiphanies are experienced.
—Richard Lawson, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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Whether or not its lyrics were inspired by those apocalyptic events, the song gives me great comfort.—
Noa Tishby,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
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Set in a post-apocalyptic world, ARC Raiders tasks you with scavenging the Earth's dangerous surface for resources while fighting hostile robots and rival human players.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
4 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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But during a critical game early in the season, that’s exactly what took place.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Others took note of Jones on that play, and many were critical of the Chiefs star.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 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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The op-ed marked a watershed moment, with Biden later exiting the race.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
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Her leadership transition comes at a watershed moment for local production, which has been suffering greatly in recent years as productions have increasingly moved to other territories amid an overall global production contraction.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
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