climactic

adjective

cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
Synonyms of climacticnext
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax
the film's climactic scene
climactically
klī-ˈmak-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
adverb

Synonyms of climactic

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Examples of climactic in a Sentence

At the climactic moment, the main character of the novel finds herself face to face with the thief. the movie's climactic chase scene
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
On Saturday, Gosling surprised audiences at Marvel Studios’ climactic Hall H panel, where the superhero studio revealed that he had been cast as Ghost Rider in a new solo film. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026 This climactic spot only made fans more uncomfortable, though some gave the spot polite applause. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Fans continue to ask Carney about Hadestown’s climactic moment, when Orpheus dooms Eurydice forever by turning to look at her on the road back from hell. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 The show opens by foreshadowing a past disaster involving the lighting fixture at the Paris Opéra House, which comes to fruition at the end of Act 1 when the titular Phantom sends it crashing in a climactic fit of rage. — Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for climactic

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of climactic was in 1747

Rhymes for climactic

See All Rhymes for climactic

Browse Nearby Words

climacteric
climactic
climagraph
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Cite this Entry

“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climactic. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

climactic

adjective
cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
: of, relating to, or being a climax
the movie's climactic scene

Medical Definition

climactic

adjective
cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax

More from Merriam-Webster on climactic

Nglish: Translation of climactic for Spanish Speakers

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