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
  • The milestone was noted in the measurement firm’s latest edition of The Gauge, a monthly snapshot of TV viewership.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 June 2025
  • The milestone for streaming services coincides with the four-year anniversary of Nielsen’s first Gauge data release in May 2021.
    Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 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
  • But by 2025 when the project was finished, the cost had gone above the grant amount of $698,500.
    Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
  • As in the past, Nordic countries top the charts, with the Finns finishing first, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
    Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 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
  • True Botanicals completed a series B funding round in March 2023, led by growth equity firm NextWorld Evergreen.
    Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • An early Merseyside derby at home to Everton completes a testing opening run, but ensures a first trip to their rival’s new home at Hill Dickinson Stadium is pushed back until the second half of the campaign.
    Colin Millar, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The halls of this storied landmark have long been filled with ambition and elegance.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
  • The landmark agreement is the equivalent of NBC, or another major American commercial network, handing over its output to Netflix.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 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 1 Jul. 2025.

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