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
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Recent Examples of climactic
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
Even with all the gumption in the world, the eponymous Elbow Grease does not win his climactic race.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
One lucky Star Wars fan will be able to snag the piece of a lifetime; Darth Vader’s lightsaber, seen in climactic battles in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Judi, will be up for grabs, expected to fetch a whopping $1 million to $3 million.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
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
Even with all the gumption in the world, the eponymous Elbow Grease does not win his climactic race.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
One lucky Star Wars fan will be able to snag the piece of a lifetime; Darth Vader’s lightsaber, seen in climactic battles in both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Judi, will be up for grabs, expected to fetch a whopping $1 million to $3 million.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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Each of the watches has its bracelets and cases hand-serrated by files, giving the sleek sports watch a post-apocalyptic twist in stark contrast to its mirror-effect gradient dial.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
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Musk also cites apocalyptic scenarios and points to transformative technologies that can save humanity.—
Sonja Fritzsche,
The Conversation,
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
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
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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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Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
15 July 2025
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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
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In other words, the health of the system is decisive.—
Sandro da Silva,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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But even before Tyler Stephenson’s two-run homer off Robert Suarez broke a tie in the top of the ninth inning and held as the decisive hit in a 4-2 Reds victory, something happened that practically rendered the final score a footnote.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Guiding principles, both personal and professional, are just as crucial as having the right policy goals.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Chinese artist will bring his expertise as a glonal artist to guide the contestants through this crucial semi-final stage.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the spring of 1997, Arundhati Roy’s debut novel, The God of Small Things, became an international sensation, marking a watershed moment in a new wave of Indian writing in English.—
Anderson Tepper,
The Atlantic,
8 Sep. 2025
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This season was worthy of a watershed memory.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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