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
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
Presumably, the producers dreamt of climactic episodes in which the twins or the husband and wife were head-to-head for elimination or victory, raising the stakes.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 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
The climactic tension of the fourth quarter gave way to an easy overtime, with New York out-scoring Cleveland 14-3.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Presumably, the producers dreamt of climactic episodes in which the twins or the husband and wife were head-to-head for elimination or victory, raising the stakes.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 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
The climactic tension of the fourth quarter gave way to an easy overtime, with New York out-scoring Cleveland 14-3.
—Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
-
One is focused on Juliette in the present day, and the other explores pre-apocalyptic life before the silos.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
-
The homicide rate in the city is at a 66-year low, a problem for his apocalyptic message.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
Trivia questions, the barrier for entry, center around pivotal women in history.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
In a decisive upset, Democrat John Forbes won his party’s nomination in the June 2 primary election for Polk County supervisor in District 1, unseating incumbent Matt McCoy.—
Virginia Barreda,
Des Moines Register,
3 June 2026
-
Because more than 70 percent of voters supported other candidates in the first round, both Fujimori and Sánchez have sought to broaden their appeal ahead of the decisive vote.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 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
-
That data is crucial to understanding and adapting to climate change and to a vast array of industries on land and at sea like aquaculture, shipping especially through icy waters, coastal tourism, agriculture and even navies, Le Traon said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
-
Without the armrests on one side, the silhouette creates airiness, something that’s crucial in a couch for a small space.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
