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
Near the climax of the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics—a living diorama of British history, directed by the filmmaker Danny Boyle—a model house was lifted away to reveal Berners-Lee. Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025 Some places show the most vibrant fall hues in early October, while others hit their climax later in the month and into November. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
The seven-minute song climaxed with a firework show above MetLife Stadium as Liam stood still, balancing a tambourine on his head. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025 There was the ignominy of falling into League One and then the long, arduous road back that climaxed with promotion via the Championship play-off final in May. Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • Willy Chavarria has secured a strategic minority investment from Chalhoub Group, WWD has learned, marking a significant milestone for the designer whose culturally conscious menswear has resonated far beyond New York.
    Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Hosted by award-winning actor, writer, and producer Aasif Mandvi, the milestone event is said to host a variety of leading filmmakers, industry professionals, and special guests for an evening celebrating excellence in documentary filmmaking.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The culmination of 15 years of hard work, this unexpected and bold pineapple ushers in a new era of pineapple.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Think of Obama in 2010 signing the Affordable Care Act, the culmination of decades of efforts to expand health care coverage.
    Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • How to Watch Italy vs Israel There’s a lot on the line as Italy hosts Israel in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, with the home team still in contention to finish first in UEFA Group I.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
  • There's no comic relief or light moments to take you away from the tough topics, which makes Guadagnino's piece stick with you long after the credits have finished rolling.
    Rachel Choy, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • How much water ultimately makes it into that system depends on snowmelt and rainfall on the Salt and Verde watersheds, which SRP is trying to track more accurately.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The watershed screw up the water quality, screw up all the sediment and cobble that, make the river mouth this amazing series of waves.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The vehicle also features ultra-fast charging capability and represents the pinnacle of current electric performance sedan technology.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The Shearling Coat Shearling is the pinnacle of luxe winter textures.
    Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 25 of 34 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Caleb Heavner completed 18 of 37 passes for 212 yards with a touchdown for Fort Hays State, which dropped to 4-3 overall, 3-2 in the MIAA.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Experience Conway’s Community Stage Catch a show at the Theatre of the Republic, a Main Street landmark since 1969.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The best hotels in Montréal capitalize on the city’s charms, with many occupying historic landmarks like 18th-century merchant houses or even the original headquarters of Canada’s famed jeweler Birks.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The zenith of the PTC’s advocacy came in the aftermath of the infamous 2004 Janet Jackson Super Bowl Halftime Show on CBS, which was airing live when the singer’s bare breast was exposed on camera during the performance alongside Justin Timberlake.
    Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
  • When the pair is closest to Mars, at maximum, Earth and the moon will be just under half a degree apart in the sky (astronomers measure size on the sky in degrees, where there are 90 degrees from the horizon to the zenith).
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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