as in pinnacle
the highest part or point
excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to peak
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crescendo
Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
But while the impact of Edward’s abdication lingered for years, the crisis reached a crescendo in a few days.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Her four-year career and the Gophers’ current season are coming to a crescendo.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
The pervasive use of less lethal tactics, caught on video and ricocheting across social media, began in late spring and summer in California and Oregon, expanded into Chicago in the fall and reached a crescendo in Minneapolis, where officers shot and killed two protesters last month.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Noun
Pellegrino’s putback on Saturday marked a crescendo to a late first-half flurry of action.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
But while the impact of Edward’s abdication lingered for years, the crisis reached a crescendo in a few days.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Her four-year career and the Gophers’ current season are coming to a crescendo.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
The pervasive use of less lethal tactics, caught on video and ricocheting across social media, began in late spring and summer in California and Oregon, expanded into Chicago in the fall and reached a crescendo in Minneapolis, where officers shot and killed two protesters last month.
—Natasha Korecki, NBC news, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crescendo
Noun
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Retirement has been marketed as the pinnacle of a successful life, the moment that finally belongs to you.—
John Coleman,
Harvard Business Review,
10 Mar. 2026
-
McDaniel’s second year was the pinnacle of Tagovailoa’s six years in Miami.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The significant heat wave is expected to peak on Tuesday and remain through Friday for most areas.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Blood pressure reductions can peak within a few hours of drinking beet juice and wear off within about 10 hours — meaning consistent intake may be needed to maintain the benefit.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This cycle has reached its zenith in Netanyahu’s latest and greatest gamble.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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This electrifying combo of documentary and concert film showcases the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his creative zenith during his 1970s Las Vegas residency and early '70s tours, and more importantly showcases Presley in all of his jumpsuited splendor, as both cultural icon and cool guy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As Joachim Trier stood on the Dolby Theatre stage, clutching Norway’s first Academy Award, the moment marked the culmination of a decades-long national project — built patiently, deliberately and with oil money turned into cultural capital.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
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The game was the culmination of a weekend’s worth of events.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And how about the 2006 final when Palo Alto stunned Mater Dei 51-47 in Division II in which Jeremy Lin made a 25-foot bank shot from the top of the key.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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His cold-blooded 3-pointer from well beyond the top of the key gave his team the lead in an 8-0 run.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The hope for this team was that Peterson could carry KU’s offense to new heights, particularly in the postseason.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
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Wordless electronic lounge music pulses over the speakers, hanging well above the dining room from a triple-height ceiling.—
Henri Hollis,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Father Dickie, mother Imelda, kids Cass and PJ each get a chance at the novel’s helm, building to a climax that is tense and unforgettable.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This is the climax of the movie and the soundtrack.—
Charlie Harding,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In New York City, the collapse hasn’t been so dire; production has reached roughly 50 percent of its mid-2000s apex, according to one analysis.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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Wallace's murder shocked viewers and served as the emotional apex of the show's first season, thanks to Jordan's moving performance.—
Ken Simmons,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crescendo. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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