1
as in milestone
a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs
the climax of the story occurs when the hero discovers the identity of his father
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in culmination
the highest part or point
the climax of her career as a performer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of climax
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
And then Zhao gives you a moment of communal outpouring, as the play’s audience responds to a violent climax with sympathy and love.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 July 2025
As Oscar’s imagination brings him close to climax, unwanted memories of that awful day suddenly puncture his thoughts, pushing images of Wilder into the same cemetery where a boy was horribly violated.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for climax
Noun
Most of the smashing is done by Tamburlaine, a Scythian shepherd by birth, who rises to the peaks of power, lays waste to one kingdom after another, and has the temerity, at the climax of Part 1, not to die.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
And then Zhao gives you a moment of communal outpouring, as the play’s audience responds to a violent climax with sympathy and love.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
In fact, the film’s opening scenes effectively wave away the escalating dramatic developments of the previous Jurassic World trilogy, which climaxed with dinosaurs living among us across the globe.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 1 July 2025
As Oscar’s imagination brings him close to climax, unwanted memories of that awful day suddenly puncture his thoughts, pushing images of Wilder into the same cemetery where a boy was horribly violated.
—David Opie, IndieWire, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
-
An international crew will touch down using SpaceX's Starship lander no earlier than 2027, assuming technical and training milestones are reached.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
American ’70s cinema was such an important milestone in cinematic history.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For Ethiopia the unveiling of the 74-billion cubic meter dam, which has been 14 years in the making and cost $5 billion, was the culmination of a dream and proved the East African nation the winner in a bitter diplomatic battle over its construction.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
9 Sep. 2025
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Both her book and her broader platform reflect the culmination of years spent recognizing women’s struggles, listening deeply to their stories, and guiding them toward empowerment and transformation.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When Calgary finished a disappointing fifth in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 and missed the playoffs by 17 points, that set the stage for Markstrom’s trade to the New Jersey Devils and opened the door for Wolf.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Hubbard finished the game with 16 carries for 57 yards.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Some of those people, joined by younger tribal members, later initiated the long process of restoring their lifeblood, the Klamath River and its watershed.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
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From transforming waste into viable products to adopting a net-positive approach to preserve watersheds at our manufacturing sites, our goal is to drive positive impact, supporting communities and fueling business growth.—
Laura Kohler,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But the template had been set, Paris was marked as a shorthand for the pinnacle of female achievement—only the most stylish, successful, and generally it would be summoned there—and established as the option only a truly singular love could outshine.—
Megan Angelo,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
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Also in the Tuamotus, on the atoll of Tikehau, divers head out to Tuheiava Pass with Tikehau Diving for regular sightings of mantas at a cleaning station (pinnacles that draw large fish to have their gills, teeth, and carapaces cleaned by smaller ones).—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Chambliss has completed 19 of 25 passes for 319 yards in his first start since transferring from the Division II level.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Renovation of the west wing, which includes the dining hall, kitchen and clinic offices, was completed over the summer.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The compilation is Strait’s first set to make it to that impressive landmark figure.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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They were pulled from the Red Barn, a local landmark dating to the early 1900s in this small community southwest of the Keweenaw Peninsula.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The speakers and attendees outlined their vision for the world at a time when national conservatism has reached its zenith of influence.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Sep. 2025
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These continued every few days for the better part of the next year, one Bowyer would look back on as a personal and professional zenith.—
DAVID AMSDEN,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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