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

Eight years later, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon — a remarkable achievement that was the climactic moment of the Cold War space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Courtesy of Netflix ©2026 Henry Cavill reprises his role as Sherlock for about six total minutes of screentime (including his very clearly CGI-ed presence at Enola’s climactic wedding).

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026

Definition of climactic

Noun

Then, as the frenzied funeral events reached their climax, US bombs and missiles struck across the country in retaliation at Iranian strikes on civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Such frustration is understandable, given the collective hopes for a spectacular sporting climax were dashed.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of climax

Adjective

Pedro Pascal has carried galaxies and post-apocalyptic wastelands on his back.

— Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026
The trailer revealed that Season 3 will have a split timeline between present-day Juliette and post-apocalyptic life before the silos were formed.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of apocalyptic

Noun

The Star-Telegram service team covered a range of stories last week, from filming updates on major TV productions to weather milestones and changes on the local bar scene.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
From a century-old City Hall closing for repairs to a downtown bridge project well behind schedule, several major South Florida development projects are hitting key milestones this year.

— Jessica Lipscomb, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of milestone

Adjective

Tensions are flaring over the critical Strait of Hormuz, pushing the two sides back towards all-out war.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The most critical one came in the 21st minute with France’s Lucas Digne committed a foul on Yamal in the box.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of critical

Noun

Splash’s main program is a 13-lesson science curriculum that teaches students about Sacramento’s unique ecosystem, the invertebrates found in vernal pools, watersheds and water pollution, CEO Mackenzie Wieser said.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 5 July 2026
The company is also on track to meet its 2030 goal of returning more water to local watersheds than its data centers consume.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of watershed

Adjective

Defense experts and strategists have described its drone campaign as pivotal in helping to stall Russia’s military momentum, while also warning that Kyiv’s deep-strike successes have drastically raised the risk of escalation.

— Katie Foley, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Go behind the scenes with Forbes Under 30 founders, creators and musicians—and the investors and mentors who backed them—to hear the real stories, lessons and pivotal moments behind building something that lasts.

— Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of pivotal

Noun

Its shuttering, alongside other long-standing landmarks like Taix restaurant, underscores Echo Park’s growing tension between new development and preserving neighborhood character.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
The landmarks can refer to the arrest location or a place near the arrest.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of landmark

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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 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of climacteric

adjective

noun

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