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

Directed by Sotozaki Haruo and produced by ufotable, the film adapts the climactic final arc of Gotouge Koyoharu’s blockbuster manga. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Dec. 2025

Vincent felt that the climactic concert represented the convergence of everyone on the movie’s talent, from the actors to the crew. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 8 Dec. 2025

The director and star didn't see eye to eye on the tone of the film's climactic smooch. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025

Chief among those is a climactic clash between Grant Dawson (23-2-1) and Manuel Torres (16-3), with the former out to climb from his current position of 13th in the rankings. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

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