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

• apocalyptic
• apocalyptical
• highest
• pivotal
• critical
• climacteric
• decisive
• 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

They’ve been almost monomaniacally determined to deliver a climactic final eight episodes that provide not only a feeling of resolution, but of satisfying inevitability. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

But certain climactic scenes also play out on Tehran’s bustling streets. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025

There’s something particularly climactic about this year’s WNBA Finals, coming weeks before the league’s collective bargaining agreement is set to expire and with most players becoming free agents in anticipation of a new leaguewide salary structure. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2025

And as the climactic ending of the novel shows, repression leads to terrible consequences. —Mj Franklin, New York Times, 9 Oct. 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