1
as in milestones
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
Relevance
2
as in culminations
the highest part or point
the climax of her career as a performer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in culminates
to bring to a triumphant conclusion
organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of climaxes
Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
There was plenty of raw energy in climaxes, sometimes too much for so supportive and reinforcing an acoustic as the Meyerson Symphony Center’s.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thus a wonderful section on The Jew of Malta climaxes in an unfortunate vision of the text as a secret message to Lord Strange, a wealthy and important patron of the arts.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Audition is a slow burn, spending the better part of two hours setting up audiences for arguably one of the most graphic climaxes in horror history.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Joaquin Temes As Argentina's midterm electoral campaign reaches its second and third climaxes, the number of scandalous corruption accusations aimed at the highest echelons of national politics is surging.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
There’s a reason the picture has that title, in other words, and that idea finds a more direct correlation in the finale, which gives us one of the more grotesquely funny climaxes in recent horror.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The band has never sounded this melodic before; Wroth in particular brings a constant dynamism to his guitar solos, often layering two and reaching climaxes that refuse to collapse into just a flurry of notes, building off Phantom Slaughter’s keyboard melodies with a real sense of drama.
—Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 17 Feb. 2026
There was plenty of raw energy in climaxes, sometimes too much for so supportive and reinforcing an acoustic as the Meyerson Symphony Center’s.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 23 Jan. 2026
Thus a wonderful section on The Jew of Malta climaxes in an unfortunate vision of the text as a secret message to Lord Strange, a wealthy and important patron of the arts.
—Isaac Butler, The Atlantic, 3 Nov. 2025
Audition is a slow burn, spending the better part of two hours setting up audiences for arguably one of the most graphic climaxes in horror history.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Joaquin Temes As Argentina's midterm electoral campaign reaches its second and third climaxes, the number of scandalous corruption accusations aimed at the highest echelons of national politics is surging.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
There’s a reason the picture has that title, in other words, and that idea finds a more direct correlation in the finale, which gives us one of the more grotesquely funny climaxes in recent horror.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
The film climaxes with a triumphant visit by the musicians, some in their 90s, to New York’s Carnegie Hall.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climaxes
Noun
-
Public relationship milestones may arrive—engagements, breakups, or defining conversations that put love front and center.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Malaysia and Vietnam hit domestic production milestones last year and Indonesia, like Singapore, recently announced plans to expand current operations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Full moons are culminations — don’t forget to pause and see what’s already come full circle before rushing into more.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
28 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The moment culminates with a declaration of love in Norwegian — a phrase reserved for the deepest bonds.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a cultural celebration that culminates the day before Ash Wednesday.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Because Aurora is not located near a major river or natural water body, nearly all of the water residents use begins as mountain snowpack, captured as runoff and transported from watersheds as far as 150 miles away.—
Mike Coffman,
Denver Post,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Low snowpack meant reduced runoff across major watersheds, influencing water availability for agriculture, cities, and ecosystems downstream.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.—
Betsy Andrews,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Our destination was a cluster of coral pinnacles called Rib Reef, on the Great Barrier Reef’s outer edge.—
Susan Casey,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Heimuli finishes this season with a 44-1 record.—
Rick Kretzschmar,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
LaVine finishes the contest by dunking from a half step inside the free-throw line and going between his legs.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The plans, released in November, showed roadways encroaching on landmarks and fragmenting neighborhoods in historically Black parts of the city.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The key neighborhoods and landmarks flow naturally into one another, which means less time navigating transit and more time actually experiencing the city.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Take your garden to new heights with vining plants that add quick color to fence lines.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Even after playing the biggest stage in the world, Bad Bunny continues to leap to new heights.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climaxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climaxes. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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