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
But leading up to The Devil Wears Prada 2 (now in theaters), production designer Jess Gonchor knew the set pieces seen in the iconic 2006 blockbuster needed an aesthetic facelift—from the Runway magazine offices to our heroine’s apartment to the climactic overseas hot spot.
—
Mara Reinstein, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026
The problem with this climactic Episode 3 scene wasn’t necessarily the action itself.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
Even the song’s big moment—the climactic return—is muted and tentative here, as what should be the triumphant riff stalls out before its final note.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
There's no painful climactic point, just a huge empty space.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Mara Reinstein, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2026
The problem with this climactic Episode 3 scene wasn’t necessarily the action itself.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
Even the song’s big moment—the climactic return—is muted and tentative here, as what should be the triumphant riff stalls out before its final note.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
There's no painful climactic point, just a huge empty space.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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There is a long tradition of environmental disasters serving as the catalyst for post-apocalyptic potboilers.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
20 May 2026
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The setting for these images had a post-apocalyptic bent to them in a Young Adult–novel way.—
Shanti Escalante-De Mattei,
ARTnews.com,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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This article contains pivotal plot points and details of Nemesis, which debuted all eight episodes of its first season Thursday night on Netflix.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
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In the episode, Morris plays Hazel, a sponsor to one of the pivotal characters.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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In Canada, those minerals sit in the same rock formations where miners already dig for copper, nickel, and diamonds, or explore for critical green transition metals like lithium and cobalt.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
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Global energy demand is projected to rise more than 50% by 2040, driven by economic growth in Asia and power-hungry AI infrastructure — and LNG, which is a cleaner fuel than coal or oil, is seen as a critical source to help meet that demand.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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During my lifetime there have been 55 years in which my country has engaged in prolonged and endless conflicts or wars, few of which have brought a decisive victory.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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What initially looked like a decisive campaign by the US and Israel has evolved into a stagnant and prolonged conflict, with the threat of further escalation hanging over the region.—
Amena Bakr,
semafor.com,
14 May 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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That assessment didn’t mention Taiwan directly, but, in relation to Iran, said both sides had agreed that the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil and natural gas, must remain open.—
Will Weissert,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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The subpoenas were crucial in getting the names of children and their families so the Justice Department could interview them.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Cuba's shootdown in 1996 of two Cessna aircraft operated by the Brothers to the Rescue was a watershed moment in decades of hostilities between the two countries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
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The meetings in Beijing, set for Thursday and Friday, could be a watershed moment for the adversarial superpowers, whose fragile relationship has been snarled up by a flurry of economic and political conflicts in the past year alone.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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