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
Relevance
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
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So what is preventing this big climactic battle from happening now?—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
During the film’s climactic fight sequence — shot over five punishing days — MacPherson tore his adductor muscle off the bone, fractured his pelvis, and broke his nose.—
Sean Sennett,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His favorite Harry Potter film of all time is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, a fitting choice given the emotional climax of the series.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The attack occurred moments before she was slated to walk down the aisle to wed her childhood sweetheart — the climax of a revenge attack amid an ongoing feud.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jeff Bezos' space company just notched a big reusability milestone — but also suffered a sizable setback.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
19 Apr. 2026
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Eventually, some investors reach a remarkable milestone.—
Steve Booren,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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They are also filled with apocalyptic premonitions that make sense only in a first-century context, when Jesus was credibly thought by his followers to soon be on his way back home, ready to take believers up to Heaven, or the moon, with him.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The apocalyptic religious zealots who ran the Iranian police state were on the verge of complete construction of a nuclear bomb.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The administration said the ban would protect the watershed and canoe wilderness.—
Todd Richmond,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Improvements began after policymakers recognized the mountains as vital watersheds for neighboring communities.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The teamwork and professionalism shown by the officers today are a testament to their training in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and critical decision-making.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But for Ternus, perhaps the most critical aspect of his new job will be pushing the company deeper into AI, where it's lagged many of its megacap peers.—
Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Since the landmark decision, companies have filed thousands of lawsuits with the Court of International Trade (CIT) seeking tariff refunds.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Last week, a coalition of more than 30 state attorneys general won a landmark monopolization case against Live Nation, the owner of Ticketmaster.—
Gail Slater,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As previously announced, Michelle Mao will play Yara and Kyriana Kratter will play Lev, siblings whose paths cross with Abby at a pivotal moment, as Ellie begins her revenge rampage in Seattle.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
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Launching the booster, which provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, for a second time would be a pivotal step toward allowing New Glenn to launch more frequently.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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