CLIMACTERIC Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

climacteric 1 of 2

adjective

klī-ˈmak-t(ə-)rik

Definition of climacteric

as in climactic

of, relating to, or being a major turning point as the war reached its climacteric phase, the atrocities dramatically increased, both in number and brutality

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

climacteric

2 of 2

a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs historians attempting to pinpoint the Roman Empire's climacteric, that precise moment when it began its long downhill slide

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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 climacteric

Adjective

Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025 For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale. — Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021 Macerating unripe climacteric fruit in sugar, however, isn’t a substitute for ripening them; that just takes time in your kitchen counter’s fruit basket. — Bill St. John, The Denver Post, 8 May 2017

Noun

These are called climacteric, and will respond to the presence of ethylene by producing more ethylene. — Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 May 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for climacteric

Adjective

The pilot’s mounting mysteries and climactic cliffhanger might have felt like promises of something shocking.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of climactic

Noun

At the song’s climax came an explosion, multiple showers of sparks and a quick series of fireworks that torpedoed down from the rafters.

— Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026
Building to a poignant climax, writer-director Noah Segan’s elegant love letter to both New York and to bygone cinematic eras recalls both the 1970s, with its grungy urban antiheroes, and the 1990s, in its American indie ethos.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of climax

Adjective

Just when this summer couldn’t get more apocalyptic, a packaging defect has led Schwarzkopf’s parent company, Henkel, to voluntarily recall its Osis Grip Extra Strong Mousse.

— James Manso, Allure, 17 Aug. 2026
The landscape in the southernmost part of Chilean Patagonia, often called the End of the World, has a post-apocalyptic quality.

— Ana Karina Zatarain, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of apocalyptic

Noun

Caterham and her family are marking her milestone birthday this year with a private celebration, according to Guinness World Records.

— Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Only Jones and Alexander-Arnold have reached that 200-game milestone at Liverpool among their academy graduates since Gerrard.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of milestone

Noun

Tammen worked decades in the mining industry and empathizes with people like King, but does not feel a mine is worth potentially jeopardizing the watershed.

— Erin Hassanzadeh, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
The inaugural livestream is set in the Bristol Bay watershed, home to the most abundant wild sockeye salmon runs remaining on Earth.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of watershed

Adjective

The Tiananmen Square crackdown was a pivotal moment in China’s modern history, showing that the market reform that transformed the country into the world’s second-largest economy would not be coupled with political liberalization.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
But considered closer, Frankie’s insult to his sister sets up a pivotal moment later.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Noun

While people might flock to New York City year-round for a glimpse of its dramatic skylines and cultural landmarks, locals know there are tens of thousands of miles to be explored beyond Manhattan.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026
Prime Video has unveiled a landmark $2 billion-plus investment plan in Latin American entertainment spanning 2027 to 2030 in a concerted bid to increase viewership and engagement.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of landmark

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“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of climacteric

adjective

noun

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