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
An Australian woman murdered her husband’s parents and aunt by lacing their beef Wellington lunch with toxic mushrooms, a jury found Monday at the climax of a trial watched around the world. Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025 Alongside the radiant climaxes, the chorus achieves spells of shivering inwardness. Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Verb
There’s a lot of loss and searching that almost seems to be taking place in an acoustically inclined underworld, climaxing in a number that feels like Orpheus and Eurydice walking happily ever after into the dawn. Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025 The event climaxed around 11:23 a.m. when the pyroclastic flow, triggered when magma mixed with snow, traveled more than a mile to the Valle del Leone within a minute. Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • Leading critics of the projects hailed Tuesday’s vote as a milestone in the fight to rein in San Diego’s unusually aggressive incentive for backyard apartments, which are formally called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • The milestone also brought to mind a funny moment William shared years ago about George’s birthday.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • This coming year will be the culmination of our yearly gathering in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 July 2025
  • In October 1971, the Shah anointed himself as the culmination of 2,500 years of Persian history with an extravagant birthday party for the Persian Empire.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Once baked, finish the casserole with plenty of shredded Gruyère cheese on top.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 July 2025
  • North Irvine finished 5 for 7 with the extra attacker.
    Dan Albano, Oc Register, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • That’s exactly what the developers — a group of ranchers who have been pushing a controversial 1,800-home development in the watershed of the Econlockhatchee River — apparently want.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
  • Advertisement Advertisement The timing—overnight, on a holiday weekend—the intensity of the rainfall in the river watershed, and the vulnerable location combined into a worst-case scenario.
    Katharine Hayhoe, Time, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • However, instead of reaching their professional pinnacle of success, many of them have accrued 47% of the nation’s outstanding student loan debt.
    Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The experience gets even better with a group of friends, and reaches its pinnacle in the Florida Keys, where personal watercraft, thanks to their swiftness, agility, and minimal draft, are ideal vessels to explore the pristine, and often shallow waters.
    Jeremy Korzeniewski, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Investigators are seeking permission to exchange information between the police department and medical examiner's office to complete the work.
    Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
  • Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials said work crews will complete a full replacement of the bridge expansion joints at mile marker 135.6 to improve safety, also helping to prevent potholes and reduce future maintenance closures.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Designed by Foster + Partners, the landmark project reorganizes passenger flows by simplifying the stream of fliers heading from land to air side and vice versa.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 11 July 2025
  • To celebrate that landmark album turning 50, here’s one longtime Fleetwood Mac fan’s unabashedly subjective countdown of their best songs, from the massive pop hits that defined their most successful lineup to assorted album cuts and highlights of their earliest recordings. 40.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Some shows in the U.S. later in the year might be about the zenith of anything that anybody ever imagined really.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2025
  • More than 100 years after the Italian composer reached the zenith of his theatrical powers, Puccini still pries open the human heart with his intense — and intensely orchestrated — music.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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