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
What takes its place is feel-good human connection and reconciliation, whether found in unlikely places—such as in a climactic showdown between Rick and Danny in Los Angeles—or in its familiar setting, at home.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Marcia was particularly instrumental in the construction of the Death Star escape and the climactic Battle of Yavin.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
In the film’s climactic scene, Cioffi’s character, revealed as the killer, attempts to murder Bree before dying by suicide in a dramatic plunge from a skyscraper.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2026
Marcia was particularly instrumental in the construction of the Death Star escape and the climactic Battle of Yavin.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 29 May 2026
Emotionally cornered and spiritually exhausted, Anatoly at last lets everything rupture to the surface, sustaining the anthem's climactic note for over 20 seconds.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
In the film’s climactic scene, Cioffi’s character, revealed as the killer, attempts to murder Bree before dying by suicide in a dramatic plunge from a skyscraper.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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War of the Worlds was an obvious and devastating response to the carnage of 9/11, updating the classic novel to a modern-day depiction of a society coming undone in the face of an apocalyptic alien invasion.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2026
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The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel.—
Justin Kroll,
Deadline,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Trivia questions, the barrier for entry, center around pivotal women in history.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
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That makes their result a pivotal statement not only about the chemistry that supports life, but also about whether quantum computers are needed to understand it.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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California officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have repeatedly refuted claims of fraud and, in fact, have defended the state’s slower process as critical to ensuring the counts are accurate.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
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Remarkably, New York has actually been outscored by four points in his 75 total minutes through two games, yet his critical shot-making in the fourth quarters has come when his team has needed it most.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 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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Greylord was a watershed moment in its use of eavesdropping devices and a mole to obtain evidence instead of relying on wrongdoers to become government informants.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Campbell told the Miami Herald Tuesday that the congressional race is a watershed moment for the Democratic Party at a time when Black voters — particularly Black male voters — have felt disenfranchised from the party.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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