as in apocalyptic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point
the French Revolution is usually regarded as one of the climactic events in modern European history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 climactic
Fans of the Bulls will undoubtedly recognize a climactic moment in Running Point season two, but another subplot involving Waves’ captain, Marcus Winfield, and rising star, Dyson Gibbs, was surprisingly not inspired by one of the few blemishes of the Bulls’ 1990s dynasty.
—
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Following the climactic portrayal of bombings in Iran and Gaza, the Strokes’ video montage ended with a shot of a bomber plane in the air, as the song abruptly ended.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2026
There’s one climactic moment involving spitting when the staging undermines the action.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
So what is preventing this big climactic battle from happening now?
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Following the climactic portrayal of bombings in Iran and Gaza, the Strokes’ video montage ended with a shot of a bomber plane in the air, as the song abruptly ended.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Apr. 2026
There’s one climactic moment involving spitting when the staging undermines the action.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
So what is preventing this big climactic battle from happening now?
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
-
Another shuts a door on an old-timer in the middle of his menacing monologue about an apocalyptic storm.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Woodley recounted her experience being recruited into Dan Fogelman’s enigmatic post-apocalyptic series.—
Scott Huver,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The seven tracks on their first LP together are largely instrumental and instinctive, building a pivotal series of Miami recording sessions into a fresco of outsider rock, ambient, and avant-garde arrangement.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
1 May 2026
-
McDonald didn’t bother hiding his happiness as KU’s defense stopped a pivotal fourth down late in the second quarter.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Three residents died at the scene, while five more were hospitalized with critical injuries, FDNY officials said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
As Mercury squares Pluto, feedback or a conversation may feel more intense or critical than expected.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
Adjective
-
Zehavi doubted the proliferation of FPV drones would have a truly decisive impact on the war overall, comparing it to previous technological improvements Hezbollah has adopted.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Only four have even pushed it to the decisive Game 7.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
-
The information provided is crucial in identifying whether the state meets federal requirements for various forms of disaster assistance.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Jackie Vece, head of the residents’ association and chief organizer of their campaign, said capping rent increases is crucial.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Maher cited Walmart’s recent updates to its policies regarding Sparky, its own AI shopping agent, as a watershed moment for the industry.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Yeahs parlayed their New York hero status into career artists, the Mooney Suzuki, whose 1999 EP was heralded as a watershed moment for the scene, had the unfortunate fate of missing out on the boom.—
Daniel Kohn,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
