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
Before the huge climactic shoot-out — there’s always a huge climactic shoot-out — someone casually goes through a location and places all sorts of extra guns throughout the space, hiding them in refrigerators and under pool tables and whatnot.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Nothing in sports is as anti-climactic as opening day, when your greatest hopes or worst fears are confirmed, at least for 24 hours.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 27, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
With no evidence of any talks aimed at halting the conflict, the thousands of Marines headed to the Mideast could be involved in a climactic battle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and crush Iran’s ability to weaponize it again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2026
In that seminal kung fu film’s climactic scene, Lee and Norris’ characters face off inside the Colosseum in Rome.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Nothing in sports is as anti-climactic as opening day, when your greatest hopes or worst fears are confirmed, at least for 24 hours.
—Kevin Sherrington
mar. 27, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
With no evidence of any talks aimed at halting the conflict, the thousands of Marines headed to the Mideast could be involved in a climactic battle to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and crush Iran’s ability to weaponize it again.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 22 Mar. 2026
In that seminal kung fu film’s climactic scene, Lee and Norris’ characters face off inside the Colosseum in Rome.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
-
In the hands of the six-piece band, the shivering chords of that miniature apocalyptic soul song build into a cathartic climax, which Wasner punctuates with weeping slide guitar.—
Mitch Therieau,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama reunites Gilligan with Rhea Seehorn and centers on novelist Carol Sturka, who finds herself alone after an alien virus transforms humanity into a peaceful hive mind determined to assimilate the remaining few who are immune.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The roots of the day, also celebrated as International Workers Day, go back over a century to a turbulent and pivotal time in labor history.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Plenty of old faces return for brief scenes while new faces play more pivotal roles (including Anthony Timpano as Jamie, an infant in the original series, and Vaughan Murrae as Kelly, the result of Lois’ series-finale pregnancy reveal).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lebanon's top political authorities, critical of Hezbollah's decision to fire rockets towards Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran, quickly proposed direct talks in a bid to stop the escalation, hoping that Israel would not launch its ground invasion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Gulf is building the entire cake, and the region’s governments will not abandon their most critical layers simply because the geopolitical temperature has risen.—
Winston Ma,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Either way, this decisive energy favors clear asks and tangible action over chasing perfect conditions.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The Aggies lost Game 2, and the decisive Game 3.—
Mac Engel
April 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 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 Clippers head to Portland on Friday for a crucial game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Starzyk said longtime volunteers like Dee McClintock, an 80-year-old who has worked with the organization for 18 years, are crucial to Abandoned Pet Rescue.—
Amanda Rosa
April 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Disney previously agreed to take a $1 billion stake in the startup and license 200 iconic characters to Sora in what some entertainment executives considered a watershed deal.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The boxing world, in general, is also kind of identifying this as a watershed moment, in many ways.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
