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
By the climactic scene, Won-do, Pal-ho, and Ho-ran are dead.
—
Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
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
There's no painful climactic point, just a huge empty space.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Kayti Burt, Time, 15 May 2026
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
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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Researchers debuted an inventory for classifying apocalyptic belief, comprising anthropogenic causality, theogenic causality, imminence, personal control, and the question of whether the end is a good or bad thing.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
The response was predictably apocalyptic.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
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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Unity was critical to these aims.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
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His comments come on the back of recent warnings by the International Energy Agency that the global oil market could face a critical supply squeeze during the peak summer consumption period, especially if Middle Eastern exports fail to recover and inventories continue falling.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Pérez argues that intelligence penetration was decisive in Venezuela and believes similar efforts would almost certainly precede any Cuba operation.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 May 2026
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune and members of the Republican establishment are now beginning to build bridges with Paxton in the wake of his decisive victory, Axios reports.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 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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In the final two minutes, Salaün grabbed two crucial rebounds, hit two free throws, and knocked down a clutch jumper that gave Golden State a 87-84 lead.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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In his last three years with the program, Vizakis was crucial in helping the Warriors compile a 38-1 record, resulting in two Super Bowl championships.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
This workshop will teach you how to remove your lawn and create a watershed-wise landscape; managing weeds, pests and disease; and lawn care strategies to improve resilience.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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