climactic

adjective

klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
Definition of climacticnext
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

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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 Don’t miss Raja, a heart-pumping tube slide with a 37-foot drop as its climactic finish. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026 Part 1 is expected to culminate with the abduction itself, leaving the rescue campaign and the climactic battle for Part 2. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026 On Saturday, Gosling surprised audiences at Marvel Studios’ climactic Hall H panel, where the superhero studio revealed that he had been cast as Ghost Rider in a new solo film. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 This climactic spot only made fans more uncomfortable, though some gave the spot polite applause. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
  1. apocalyptic
  2. pivotal
  3. critical
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. crucial
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • This depiction of Circe is integral to Nolan’s apocalyptic narrative.
    — Bailey Sincox, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The field of recruiting hasn’t been spared from executives making apocalyptic predictions of job losses.
    — Ritu Mohanka, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of apocalyptic
Adjective
  • Young adult dramas have always been pivotal to Netflix’s programming.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • For one of the men in particular, the type of hustling, defiant gay life that John Rechy describes in his nonfiction book The Sexual Outlaw is pivotal.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Cyberattacks against critical systems often leave defenders searching for clues outside the machine.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Zawiya is home to critical energy infrastructure, including Libya’s largest oil refinery, an export terminal and a power plant.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The 5th District saw more than double the amount of votes cast in its Congressional primary than in the 4th, and the gap in support between candidates was much more decisive.
    — Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisive
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
Definition of climacteric
Adjective
  • This extended to her closest competitors in the Tour, after Niewiadoma-Phinney accused Vollering’s teammate Célia Gery of boxing her in during the crucial penultimate stage.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Both teams are eyeing crucial points across the two-test series for staying in contention for the 2027 World Test Championship final.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • This is a watershed moment for generative AI and large language models (LLMs).
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The unanimous ruling was seen by supporters of self-identification as a watershed moment, pushing India ahead of much of South Asia on transgender rights.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

climacterics
climactic
climate
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Cite this Entry

“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of climactic for Spanish Speakers

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