as in crowning
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as in finishing
to bring to a triumphant conclusion
culminated the school year with a trip to New York
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Recent Examples of culminating
Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
National song festivals and spontaneous singing were major tools to protest the Soviet occupation, culminating in the restoration of independence on August 20, 1991.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In total, 24 performances will span music, dance, opera, circus, and more, culminating in a special anniversary tribute concert on September 11.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Condon was at this best down the stretch, culminating with a disappointing 73-72 loss to Iowa in the NCAAs second round.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
In the South China Sea, Xi told President Obama that China would not militarize the Spratly Islands, yet soon after began constructing runways, installing radar systems and deploying missiles, culminating in a full-scale military buildup.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo, aided by Mayor Mike Bloomberg, enacted successive reforms culminating in Tier 6 in 2012.
—Daniel Disalvo, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The application would kick off a city review process, culminating in a public hearing before the City Council, that Evarts said typically takes about 6 months to complete.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
For the last quarter of the 20th century, presidents and Congresses of both parties annually debated how to reduce deficits and several times reached consequential multi-year deals, culminating during the second Clinton term in four straight years of surpluses.
—Jackie Calmes, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2026
National song festivals and spontaneous singing were major tools to protest the Soviet occupation, culminating in the restoration of independence on August 20, 1991.
—Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
In total, 24 performances will span music, dance, opera, circus, and more, culminating in a special anniversary tribute concert on September 11.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
Condon was at this best down the stretch, culminating with a disappointing 73-72 loss to Iowa in the NCAAs second round.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
In the South China Sea, Xi told President Obama that China would not militarize the Spratly Islands, yet soon after began constructing runways, installing radar systems and deploying missiles, culminating in a full-scale military buildup.
—Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo, aided by Mayor Mike Bloomberg, enacted successive reforms culminating in Tier 6 in 2012.
—Daniel Disalvo, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026
Festivities and rituals build in intensity over Holy Week, culminating in an eight-hour, overnight service that ends with the breaking of a 55-day fast in which believers abstain from meat and animal products.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The application would kick off a city review process, culminating in a public hearing before the City Council, that Evarts said typically takes about 6 months to complete.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culminating
Adjective
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Amazon Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara A mascara that’s guaranteed not to smudge your undereye is the crowning glory of anyone’s makeup collection.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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Jaquez, who was one of six seniors on the court, had a crowning performance in her final game as a Bruin with a game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Soorty partnered with finishing technology company Jeanologia on Easy Wash, a capsule collection built on a less-is-more philosophy.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Dave Gavitt started the league while finishing up his coaching career at Providence, and then tapped his right-hand man, Mike Tranghese, to take over.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But by the time the climactic showdown rolls around, certain revelations about the big day never make sense, and others imply the kind of nuanced character development that never comes to fruition.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
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Following the climactic portrayal of bombings in Iran and Gaza, the Strokes’ video montage ended with a shot of a bomber plane in the air, as the song abruptly ended.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Cardoso and Williams were both absent from the first day of training camp while completing duties for their overseas teams.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Mission is contingent on successful certification of Starliner after completing Starliner-1.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In November 2024, the justices reversed a Court of Appeals decision and remanded the case back to Dakota County District Court for a new trial, concluding that jurors should have heard instructions on Baker’s claim of self-defense and defense of others.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
15 Apr. 2026
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Patrick O’Rourke, who represented Children’s Hospital Colorado, countered that Eckhart was right in determining the harm to the hospital outweighs the plaintiffs’ loss of care, but made a mistake in concluding the decision to stop the care was likely discrimination.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But one fateful day in 2009 changed the course of her professional career.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Some analysts suggest that 2027 is the fateful year.—
Andy Browne,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film approaches its subject from three overlapping points of view, all climaxing in what appears to be the destruction of a major American city.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
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At one point, the script prominently featured Hobbs, with the story climaxing in the destruction of Rio.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Back treatments address muscle tension while clearing meridian blockages.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Culminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culminating. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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