crescendo 1 of 2

noun

krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce crescendo (audio)
Definition of crescendonext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crescendo

2 of 2

verb

as in to peak

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 crescendo
Noun
Cameron’s troubled youth reached a crescendo when he was sentenced to five years in federal prison for drug smuggling, with an additional sentence for drug possession in prison — serving seven years in the end. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Each bite is deliberately composed with the rhythm and crescendo of a piece of music, a reflection of Tim Cushman’s background as a musician, resulting in sushi that feels deeply considered but also playful. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
Under the hood, though, concerning signals are blinking that, if they aren't fixed soon, could crescendo into alarm bells. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crescendo
  1. pinnacle
  2. peak
  3. zenith
  4. culmination
  5. top
  6. height
  7. climax
  8. apex
Noun
  • This is followed by pilot projects, which, if successful, would then be scaled up across entire departments, until finally the company reaches the pinnacle of maturity with entire ways of working reimagined for an AI-ready future.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • This being a pinnacle, if invitation-only, event of the country music calendar, star power was ever present.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • As king tides peak along the South Florida coast, municipal officials and local residents are preparing for potentially widespread flooding as heavy rain and strong onshore winds threaten the region over the coming days.
    — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Temperatures will peak around 81 degrees and skies will be sunny, according to NWS Melbourne.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • After rendezvous this morning, Dragon will autonomously dock to the zenith port on the station's Harmony module.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Zara, which has been upping its retail game in recent years, has taken things to a new zenith in Paris, taking over a historic mansion in the Marais district to showcase the first Re{form} Zara collection designed by John Galliano.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • Machine Gods is the culmination of years of Casey and Kevin's reporting from the front lines of Silicon Valley.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
  • For Radiance founder Francesco Simeoni, the acquisitions are the culmination of years of efforts to secure films largely unavailable in Britain.
    — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • The ice scoop was in direct contact with the top of the machine.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The wide-leg pants keep things relaxed, and the ruched waist on the knit top adds shape and makes the whole look feel more polished than a standard sweatshirt set.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • The performance of total transparency could reach comical heights.
    — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Construction also has already begun on a second pad, LC-36B, for an even larger version of New Glenn, and with it a new vertical integration facility that can handle the new rockets’ heights.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • You may be forgiven for anticipating a potboiler climax when a lush hideaway with a private beach is concerned, and what occurs there is indeed juicy.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The 2026 Formula 1 season is edging closer to its climax, with just six more races to go and the World Champion could be crowned soon, if not this Sunday.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of climax
Noun
  • Justin Jefferson somehow separated enough from the triple coverage that converged at the apex of his route, leaped to snag the ball with both hands, tapped both feet on the turf, and tumbled backward to put the Vikings in front.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That haziness gets more distorted on the title track, which hits its apex with siren-like oscillations.
    — Cassidy Sollazzo, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

crepuscules
crescendo
crescendoed
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Cite this Entry

“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crescendo. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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