climactic

adjective

cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik 

klə-

: of, relating to, or constituting a climax

the film's climactic scene

climactically

klī-ˈmak-ti-k(ə-)lē 

klə-

adverb

Synonyms of climactic

• apocalyptic
• pivotal
• critical
• highest
• decisive
• climacteric
• culminating
• crucial
• watershed

Examples of climactic in a Sentence

At the climactic moment, the main character of the novel finds herself face to face with the thief.

the movie's climactic chase scene

Recent Examples on the Web

The final touch, though, was interspersing Robert’s memories into his joyous, climactic plane ride. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026

Thursday felt like a letdown, then, felt anti-climactic. —Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026

The climactic scenes toy with the blurred lines between hallucination and reality, but the logic falls apart; threads like Hana’s rash decision to undertake a dangerous surgical fix virtually evaporate without much payoff. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026

This looks climactic for you personally, a real turning point that might shift your life circumstances in loud, obvious ways. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for climactic

• didactic
• galactic
• syntactic
• anaphylactic
• extragalactic
• intergalactic
• stereotactic
• chemotactic
• chiropractic
• isotactic
• prophylactic
• lactic

Kids Definition

climactic

adjective

cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik 

klə-

: of, relating to, or being a climax

the movie's climactic scene

Medical Definition

climactic

adjective

cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik 

: of, relating to, or constituting a climax