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
Relevance
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
Writer/director Cregger previously told IndieWire that Madigan insisted on doing almost all of her own stunts for the film, including in the over-the-top, climactic chase sequence that involved a lot of running and crashing into walls and through windows.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2026
Saving the best for last certainly applies to the whirlwind of fashion month, with Paris Fashion Week bringing a climactic end to the four-week extravaganza.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Jordan is magnetic in the role and eventually becomes king before T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns from his apparent death for their climactic duel.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
With climactic changes abreast and habitat loss due to human encroachment, there are few places left in North America where a bear will live out its life and never encounter a human.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2026
Saving the best for last certainly applies to the whirlwind of fashion month, with Paris Fashion Week bringing a climactic end to the four-week extravaganza.
—Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026
Jordan is magnetic in the role and eventually becomes king before T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns from his apparent death for their climactic duel.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
With climactic changes abreast and habitat loss due to human encroachment, there are few places left in North America where a bear will live out its life and never encounter a human.
—Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
-
The radical theologian Thomas Müntzer predicted an apocalyptic social leveling, ultimately producing a kind of egalitarian utopia.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The 16th and 17th century wars of religion saw reformers like Martin Luther painting the Roman Catholic Church in apocalyptic terms resulting in much bloodshed and likely persuading the Founding Fathers to include the disestablishment clause in the Constitution.—
Chloe Breyer,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The senior scored 15 points and made a pivotal steal late in the game as the Explorers (26-6) edged Sarasota 53-50 for their fifth consecutive state title in the FHSAA Class 7A boys’ state final at UNF Arena in Jacksonville.—
James Varsallone,
Miami Herald,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Strait of Hormuz was handling about 20% of global seaborne oil supplies until the war broke out, before Iran virtually stopped flows via the critical waterway.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Home routers and mesh systems are critical to national security and consumer protection, and today’s decision is a step forward.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Analysts say his decisive mandate could give him room to pursue reforms.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Half-winger, pure showman, Hazard would not always contribute a decisive goal or assist for Chelsea.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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
Adjective
-
The move could cement Tehran’s de facto chokehold over the crucial waterway and formalize its ability to keep its own oil flowing to China.—
David McHugh,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
This coating plays a crucial role.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The early 1990s were a watershed moment for female health.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
-
That made the company’s move to bring memory manufacturing back to Boise — with the 2022 announcement of a $15 billion fab — a watershed moment for Micron and the state.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
