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

Having trained for months, their duty was to keep vigil on the climactic phase of totality, as the moon's silhouette covered the face of our parent star to reveal the sun's golden corona reaching out into the false twilight. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

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

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