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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in climax
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of climacteric
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
Becky Krystal,
Washington Post,
31 May 2022
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
-
The ending of van Dongen’s journey was decidedly anti-climactic.
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The second season had 8 episodes, compared with 10 in the first season—a decision that pushed some climactic battles into the third season.
Noun
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Later on, Jaehaerys II is murdered in the episode’s climax.
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Lisa handles the emotional stakes with masterful precision, weaving the politics of purity culture, religious control, and the mother-daughter bond into a climax that is a revolt and a reconciliation.
Adjective
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As Silicon Valley debates whether AI will replace millions of office workers, one of the executives building the technology’s underlying infrastructure says Gen Z shouldn’t buy into the apocalyptic job displacement predictions.
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Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing, skywatching, playing games or building Lego, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic.
Noun
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Despite a few glimmers of good feeling, today's fierce political divisions have redefined a milestone that has often been marked by unity and optimism, at least for a moment.
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The Phillies' turnaround following the dismissal of manager Rob Thomson reached a new milestone when two of the franchise’s biggest stars delivered a historic performance.
Adjective
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Everyday businesses most at risk To counter the threat, businesses and leaders should invest in cyber defenses, upgrade old systems or patch faulty software, and limit who has access to critical systems, the Five Eyes leaders said.
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Commercial vessels and oil tankers preparing to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical strategic waterways for global trade flows, maintain their wait in the Gulf of Oman, on June 17, 2026.
Noun
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Signups are open for Exploring Our Sense of Place, San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy’s program of excursions that dives deeply into the watershed’s natural and cultural history while reinforcing participants’ connection to the nature that surrounds them.
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Loch Raven’s 8,000-acre watershed surrounds its eponymous reservoir.
Adjective
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Burnham, a former cabinet minister who’s been Mayor of Greater Manchester for the best part of a decade, now re-enters parliament at a pivotal moment for his party.
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The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity has transformed from an advertising awards show into a pivotal global marketplace where technology, retail, media, luxury, and entertainment converge.
Noun
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Season 35 will follow a landmark 34th season of DWTS, which brought in 72 million votes in its finale and nearly half a billion votes throughout the season.
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At 1221 Broadway and part of the City Center mixed-use complex, the landmark tower was taken back through a speedy foreclosure process, documents filed on June 16 with the Alameda County Recorder’s Office show.
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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