CLIMACTERIC Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

climacteric 1 of 2

adjective

klī-ˈmak-t(ə-)rik

Definition of climacteric

as in climactic

of, relating to, or being a major turning point as the war reached its climacteric phase, the atrocities dramatically increased, both in number and brutality

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

climacteric

2 of 2

a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs historians attempting to pinpoint the Roman Empire's climacteric, that precise moment when it began its long downhill slide

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of climacteric

Adjective

Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025 For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale. — Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021 Macerating unripe climacteric fruit in sugar, however, isn’t a substitute for ripening them; that just takes time in your kitchen counter’s fruit basket. — Bill St. John, The Denver Post, 8 May 2017

Noun

These are called climacteric, and will respond to the presence of ethylene by producing more ethylene. — Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 May 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for climacteric

Adjective

That was our climactic sort of reveal at the very end of that one.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of climactic

Noun

You may be forgiven for anticipating a potboiler climax when a lush hideaway with a private beach is concerned, and what occurs there is indeed juicy.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season is edging closer to its climax, with just six more races to go and the World Champion could be crowned soon, if not this Sunday.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of climax

Adjective

His apocalyptic sermons taught that his followers and their children should starve themselves to death to get into heaven before the end of the world, per Reuters.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026
But this post-apocalyptic drama turns out to be actually a play, being acted out on a technologically complex stage.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of apocalyptic

Noun

The team also completed a critical-design review, another milestone in preparing the technology for delivery.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The Max 10's certification represents another milestone in Boeing's efforts to restore its reputation and financial footing after years of safety, quality and production challenges.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of milestone

Adjective

This is becoming increasingly critical as water scarcity puts growing pressure on communities and infrastructure, including in traditionally water-secure regions.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
The company says the system is critical to successful missile operations during flight.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of critical

Noun

But funding to pump water from a separate watershed into Rattlesnake Creek was approved in 2025 through spending legislation that Marshall supported.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Instead, much of the city's water originates in mountain watersheds, where winter storms build the snowpack that eventually melts into streams, rivers and reservoirs.

— Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of watershed

Adjective

An average of four recent polls puts the two camps at roughly 50 and 53 seats, respectively, leaving Arab parties and smaller factions potentially pivotal.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Cities have turned into battlefields as top EU economies, including France, Italy and Spain, approach pivotal elections, while far-right parties have made electoral gains in Germany and could do so elsewhere.

— TERESA MEDRANO, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivotal

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cliffs

climacteric

climacterics

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“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of climacteric

adjective

noun

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