climax 1 of 2

climax

2 of 2

verb

as in to finish
to bring to a triumphant conclusion organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun climax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of climax are acme, apex, culmination, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to climax?

In some situations, the words acme and climax are roughly equivalent. However, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When is apex a more appropriate choice than climax?

Although the words apex and climax have much in common, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When would culmination be a good substitute for climax?

The words culmination and climax can be used in similar contexts, but culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When can peak be used instead of climax?

While the synonyms peak and climax are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

In what contexts can pinnacle take the place of climax?

The meanings of pinnacle and climax largely overlap; however, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When is it sensible to use summit instead of climax?

The synonyms summit and climax are sometimes interchangeable, but summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

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 climax
Noun
The flow traveled the entire distance in less than a minute at the eruption's climax at 11:23 a.m. local time, according to the Associated Press. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 4 June 2025 The dueling biplanes from the climax exist on this level, too, even if Gabriel is essentially twirling his moustache and tying a dame to train tracks. Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 30 May 2025
Verb
All this came after 21 days of ground tests of the Mark 1 in December 2024 that climaxed with 130-knot (150-mph, 241-km/h) taxi tests. David Szondy may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025 Their concerts were heavy on guitar dueling and showmanship, and climaxed with Derringer and his second guitarist dramatically throwing their instruments to each other from opposite sides of the stage. Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • Flying Blue Program Turns 20 The loyalty program of Air France-KLM and several other airlines has reached its 20th milestone and is celebrating with numerous offers.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Today marks two racing milestones for my friend Jerry Bruckheimer, the release of F1 and the 35 year anniversary to the day of our collaboration with the great Tony Scott on Days of Thunder.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • Harvard alleged the revocation was the culmination of a retaliatory campaign by the Trump administration on academic freedom at Harvard.
    Alexandra Koch , Bill Mears, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025
  • Washington said that was the culmination of a day in which Enright and the Angels were frustrated with Ortiz.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Mark worked in the advertising industry After finishing high school, Mark attended Texas Christian University.
    Alex Gurley, People.com, 29 June 2025
  • Among the incumbent free agents from the Heat’s season-ending roster eligible to be signed elsewhere beginning on Monday are Alec Burks, Josh Christopher and Isaiah Stevens, with the latter two finishing last season on two-way deals.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • In 2023 then-secretary of the interior Deb Haaland issued a 20-year administrative mineral withdrawal for 225,000 acres in the watershed.
    Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2025
  • Droughts in the Amazon River in 2023 and 2024 caused more nitrogen and phosphorus to build up in the watershed.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • As far back as a decade ago, when Villeneuve was on the promotion trail for Sicario, the Canadian said that action is art — and Bond is the very pinnacle of the genre.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 26 June 2025
  • Whether your passion is for Oregon’s superlative Pinot noir or California’s world-class Bordeaux blends, these wines are truly at the pinnacle of American winemaking.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • The Detroit and Cleveland teams will play at the NBA arenas that currently exist, while Philadelphia is planning on a new building that will be completed hopefully by 2030.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2025
  • This would be a tripling of the productivity of the workers if all tasks can be completed with the use of genAI, the researcher estimate.
    Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Progress in Brussels: $9 Billion to Save 8 Million Lives On June 25th, the same day a NATO summit was taking place in Hague, the European Commission and the Gates Foundation helped rally world leaders and philanthropists to commit $9 billion at a landmark summit in Brussels.
    Michael Sheldrick, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Thursday marked the 10th anniversary of the landmark decision.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • For such a humanist filmmaker, Boyle reached his zenith by pondering us at our lowest point.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
  • The band had reached its zenith, with Beatlemania-size crowds greeting them in Australia and Canada, and significant success cracking the American market.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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