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
The opening scene, complete with climactic special effects, is stunning by a quantum leap.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Rather than strain to add an arthouse veneer (or the climactic reveal of an animating trauma), Coogler offers a true synthesis between serious-minded fiction and B-movie camp.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025
First of all, Season 2’s climactic conclusion isn’t a cliffhanger.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the climactic battle’s helicopter-like drone warriors recalls nefarious winged monkeys deployed from the Wicked Witch's austere stone castle.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Rather than strain to add an arthouse veneer (or the climactic reveal of an animating trauma), Coogler offers a true synthesis between serious-minded fiction and B-movie camp.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 22 Apr. 2025
First of all, Season 2’s climactic conclusion isn’t a cliffhanger.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Even the climactic battle’s helicopter-like drone warriors recalls nefarious winged monkeys deployed from the Wicked Witch's austere stone castle.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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The Last of Us tells the story of two survivors (Ramsey and Pedro Pascal) many years after the onset of an apocalyptic plague.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Apr. 2025
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For a movie about an apocalyptic clash of vampires and gangsters, Sinners has moments of unexpected jubilance, even rapture.—
A.A. Dowd,
Rolling Stone,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Given the lack of standardized transparency across global skincare markets, in-house production serves a pivotal role.—
Xandra Harbet,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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The same videos played a pivotal role in the last trial, when a witness counted the drinks Read appeared to drink at both establishments.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Enough jaw-dropping critical injuries are sustained by characters in The Raid to overcrowd the Pitt.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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The order, which Trump signed in private, seeks to jumpstart the mining of both U.S. and international waters as part of a push to offset China's sweeping control of the critical minerals industry.—
Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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That’s exactly what WWE fans got inside Allegiant Stadium, with a short but sweet bout that ended in decisive fashion when Cargill demolished Naomi with a massive Jaded finisher.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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And, in fact, Democrats are winning special elections month after month after month, including most recently a decisive one in Wisconsin earlier this month for the state Supreme Court.—
Isabel Danzis,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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As episode three picks up in the aftermath, this expansion of Dina’s role begins to quietly reshape the story, positioning the character as a crucial anchor for Ellie’s journey moving forward and hinting at more deviations to come.—
Zoe Papelis,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s visit to the Great Lakes State, which proved crucial in his election victory last year, further spotlights the battleground that will also feature a contentious race for an open Senate seat next year to replace retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI).—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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