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
-
Cue the unexpected secret, the race against time, and the climactic wedding.—
Skyler Trepel September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Olbinski recalled taking eight of his friends to see the movie in theaters, his footage in the backdrop of the film’s climactic scene.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As Bouchra begins to make a film of the mother-daughter relationship, the film builds to a tender climax.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Some sequences feel hurried, some satirical dialogue is a little too on the nose and a special effect around the climax lacks the polish of the production design elsewhere.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ensemble Español, touted as one of the world’s best Spanish dance organizations, kicks off its 50th season this fall, a milestone Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is also fast approaching.—
Lauren Warnecke,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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But several yields hit notable milestones, reigniting discussion over the opportunities and risks in government debt.—
Jenni Reid,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some of those people, joined by younger tribal members, later initiated the long process of restoring their lifeblood, the Klamath River and its watershed.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
-
From transforming waste into viable products to adopting a net-positive approach to preserve watersheds at our manufacturing sites, our goal is to drive positive impact, supporting communities and fueling business growth.—
Laura Kohler,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Rather than preparing markets for a manageable transition, the president has chosen to use apocalyptic warnings as a judicial pressure campaign—ensuring that when the bill comes due, the economic shock will be amplified by his own dire predictions.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mizzou students and fans treated Saturday’s game as a landmark event, selling out the stadium and tailgating hours before the gates opened.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Opening to the public on October 25, the new Fondation Cartier Pour L’Art Contemporain in Paris, like its predecessor, has been designed by Jean Nouvel, the architect of such modern landmarks as the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and the National Museum of Qatar in Doha.—
Dana Thomas,
Architectural Digest,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For the first time in human history, your intelligence will no longer be critical to your survival.—
Dev Patnaik,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Whether the Yankees are willing to make that type of commitment to a player who will be 37 years old by the time the contract extension concludes will be perhaps the most critical question for the legendary franchise in the coming offseason.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While both teams chase Kansas City in the loaded AFC, Buffalo’s win could prove pivotal come January.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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With the actress as the first spokesperson, the program will give women equitable access to menopause support and resources in hopes of ending the stigma surrounding the pivotal stage of life.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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