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
But the energy may have peaked about 20 minutes before the official climax. Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025 Ten of Manchester United’s squad could be involved in the final stages of that competition, which is seen as the definitive climax of the current season. Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Verb
Hayworth, who commanded the screen as few stars could, is the haunting center of this ever-spiraling thriller, which climaxes in a hall-of-mirrors shootout that is one of the most visually complex scenes of the era. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 Jan. 2025 The event schedule will commence on March 29, featuring events such as The Headies Stakeholder Brunch, Official Nominees Party, U.S. Consulate Reception and Afrobeats Conference and will climax with the Headies Awards ceremony. Paul Grein, Billboard, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • No information on timing was provided but Mark Marshall, Chairman of Global Advertising and Partnerships at NBCU, recently told Deadline that the milestone will be celebrated in the fall.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 12 May 2025
  • As the 2024-25 school year winds down, with graduation set for Thursday, May 29, teachers are looking ahead to the fall to celebrate the milestone in full swing.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • And so for me, this was really a deep dive into the culmination of my career.
    Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 May 2025
  • For many, this represents the achievement of a lifelong goal—the culmination of years climbing the corporate ladder.
    Isabelita Castilho, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • That team finished 7-9. 2002 Dallas Cowboys: Chad Hutchinson, Quincy Carter.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • The jammed-gate races were finished but ultimately ruled a no contest.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The plant’s damage potential and the fact that this plant is listed as one of the top 10 invasive weeds in the world, has heightened concern over the discovery in 2011 of patches of it beginning to take hold in both the San Geronimo and Lagunitas Creek watersheds.
    Martha Proctor, Mercury News, 1 May 2025
  • Neal, who says he’s always been an environmentalist, put in a provision mandating that developers who destroy a wetland habitat must create an enhanced habitat (larger or more diverse) somewhere in the same watershed.
    Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Arches National Park is known for its colorful stone arches, pinnacles and balanced rocks.
    Helena Wegner, Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
  • Most apropos is that the statue will be forged by fire, an analogy perfectly befitting Staley and her journey to this pinnacle.
    Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lopez fired a missile into the cage with 4:27 remaining to complete the hat trick, as the Cougars gained some breathing room with an 8-6 advantage.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
  • People whose identity cannot be confirmed or who refuse to complete the additional screening will not be able to pass through airport security, according to the TSA.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • For decades, private individuals and groups have brought the majority of lawsuits for enforcing the landmark law's Section 2 protections against racial discrimination in the election process.
    Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 14 May 2025
  • Though Golf Mill Shopping Center is for sale, Niles village leaders are confident the $443 million redevelopment of the landmark mall will still move forward as planned this year.
    Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The 2012 Olympics were Campbell’s zenith but an eight-year professional career brought a further 20 wins from 24 fights and lightweight world-title contests against Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • At that point Jupiter is just visible in the west, about 32 degrees above the horizon (this is about a third of the way up to the zenith).
    Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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