Definition of culminatenext
as in to complete
to bring to a triumphant conclusion culminated the school year with a trip to New York

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 culminate The breeds competed during the days Monday and Tuesday at the Javits Center, and at night the winner of each breed traveled to Madison Square Garden for the group competitions, which culminated in Best in Show on Tuesday night. Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026 Thus began two decades of lessons that culminated in me studying cello (along with journalism) in college and music history in graduate school. Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 4 Feb. 2026 Instead, the show crams everything into a space that can't hold it, culminating in this past third season that exploded with too much of practically everything. Matthew Razak, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026 Routh represented himself during the criminal trial, delivering a confusing and at times dramatic defense that culminated in him apparently trying to harm himself using a pen when the jury announced its verdict. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for culminate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culminate
Verb
  • The numbers represent subs launched but not necessarily completed and added to the active-duty fleet, where the US still maintains a large advantage.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The survey, which takes about one to two minutes to complete, invites parents and primary caregivers to share their experiences with child care, pediatric and mental health access, cost of living, long commutes and other everyday challenges.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Yet few in Thailand’s volatile political arena are ever entirely finished.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • If none of these private stations pans out, the only LEO outpost left when the ISS crashes back to Earth will likely be Tiangong, the three-module station that China finished building in late 2022.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Some current central bankers — such as Fed governors Christopher Waller and Lisa Cook, in addition to Powell himself — have concluded AI has the potential to significantly boost productivity.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Of those, 15 have been concluded and 10 are at or near conclusion.
    STEPHEN GROVES, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Who would be crowned victor at this Valentine's Day brunch party?
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But even in California, dairy milk still rules the roost, and every year for nearly 70 years, the California Milk Advisory Board has crowned its California Dairy Princess as its dairy ambassador.
    Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cosmic beings, this week opens with the Last Quarter Moon in Scorpio, a liminal checkpoint between what has already climaxed and what is about to be reborn.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The film includes a famous chase scene and climax in which Bond is pursued on a motorbike on the Cortina ski slopes.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Culminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culminate. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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