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
And in his own way, King took Rose higher, providing the score for every climactic moment of the 2011 MVP’s Bulls career.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
With just the finale left to go, this is the point where the momentum should be building to some sort of climactic finale that potentially answers crucial questions about how the island operates.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 10 June 2026
After the zapfest on Earth, the anti-climactic tussle between the forces of good and evil occurs back on Eternia, where He-Man and his nemesis cross swords in a clumsy fight that’s not only predictable but also photographed and edited poorly.
—Jeffrey Ressner, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
Of course, the commercial ends in climactic fashion, as He-Man lifts Skeletor above his head for the grand finale and the sorcerer erupts into his legendary cackle.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
With just the finale left to go, this is the point where the momentum should be building to some sort of climactic finale that potentially answers crucial questions about how the island operates.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 10 June 2026
After the zapfest on Earth, the anti-climactic tussle between the forces of good and evil occurs back on Eternia, where He-Man and his nemesis cross swords in a clumsy fight that’s not only predictable but also photographed and edited poorly.
—Jeffrey Ressner, HollywoodReporter, 3 June 2026
Of course, the commercial ends in climactic fashion, as He-Man lifts Skeletor above his head for the grand finale and the sorcerer erupts into his legendary cackle.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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The second iteration expands the post-apocalyptic universe with more action and an ensemble story and arrives on Prime Video worldwide this Halloween, Prime Video said.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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The post-apocalyptic horror film stars Will Smith as a virologist and the last living human in a New York ravaged by a plague that turns humans into vampiric mutants.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The pivotal episode helped earn Anderson an Emmy nomination.—
Kelly Martinez,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
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Punk and Rhodes notably left WWE, went to AEW and then returned to WWE years later only to play pivotal roles in the company’s revitalization over the past few years.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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Under California law, police agencies are generally required to release to the public audio and video recordings of police shootings and other critical incidents involving great bodily injury within 45 days of the incident.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
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The upgrade is part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program — a critical component of a broader strategy that aims to extend the B-52’s service life through 2050.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The difference between these behaviors is subtle but decisive.—
Mustafa Abdelmonem,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The new goal is to stay decisive, emotionally regulated, creative, and mentally quick in a world that seems to accelerate exponentially.—
Melinda Fulmer,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
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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Flossie Wong-Staal (1946 - 2020) • China 🇨🇳 Wong-Staal was the first scientist to clone the virus that causes AIDS, a crucial step towards effective treatments against the disease.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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The group, alongside the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement, was crucial in helping the families directly affected by last year’s raid.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The event was a watershed moment for a brand that has carried the stigma of being a hookup app.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
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The watershed district has spent 20 years improving water quality and resilience through stormwater management, shoreline restoration and control of invasive aquatic plants.—
Tyler Quattrin,
Twin Cities,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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