climactic

adjective

klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
Definition of climacticnext
as in apocalyptic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point the French Revolution is usually regarded as one of the climactic events in modern European history

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 climactic 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 One issue at play was the climactic fight, which was reconfigured. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
  1. apocalyptic
  2. pivotal
  3. critical
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. crucial
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • This depiction of Circe is integral to Nolan’s apocalyptic narrative.
    — Bailey Sincox, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The field of recruiting hasn’t been spared from executives making apocalyptic predictions of job losses.
    — Ritu Mohanka, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of apocalyptic
Adjective
  • The high state of prices at retail and for necessities remains one of the most pivotal factors impacting consumers’ views of the economy, the U-M study showed.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Morton more recently portrayed Circe in Christopher Nolan‘s epic, The Odyssey — a goddess with the ability to turn people into animals, appearing in a pivotal moment in the story of protagonist Odysseus’ tumultuous journey home after the Trojan War.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Cyberattacks against critical systems often leave defenders searching for clues outside the machine.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Zawiya is home to critical energy infrastructure, including Libya’s largest oil refinery, an export terminal and a power plant.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The 5th District saw more than double the amount of votes cast in its Congressional primary than in the 4th, and the gap in support between candidates was much more decisive.
    — Angela Eichhorst, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisive
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
Definition of climacteric
Adjective
  • Other key matchups include Amanda Lemos facing late replacement Alexia Thainara, and Miles Johns seeking a crucial win.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In a game of fine margins, which way those nations swing could prove crucial.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • This is a watershed moment for generative AI and large language models (LLMs).
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The unanimous ruling was seen by supporters of self-identification as a watershed moment, pushing India ahead of much of South Asia on transgender rights.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

climacterics
climactic
climate
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Cite this Entry

“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of climactic for Spanish Speakers

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