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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in climax
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
Synonyms & Similar 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 climacteric
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
Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 May 2022
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 emotional combustion of his climactic scenes with Willy fail to reach cathartic levels.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Before the huge climactic shoot-out — there’s always a huge climactic shoot-out — someone casually goes through a location and places all sorts of extra guns throughout the space, hiding them in refrigerators and under pool tables and whatnot.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s no question that the series delivers a climax that more than lives up to the title.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His color choices in the film’s emotional climax are the subtle, purposeful craft work that the cinematography branch voters live for.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By reaching the milestone in 467 games, Makar is the fourth-fastest defenseman to 500 in NHL history.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The agreement will give Insilico $115 million up front, with the remainder subject to regulatory and commercial milestones, along with royalties on future sales, according to the companies’ announcement Monday.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The book follows a father and son’s journey across a post-apocalyptic America.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
30 Mar. 2026
-
It has also been viewed by many as an allegorical commentary on first century Christianity and Rome, and has been seen as an impending apocalyptic prophecy by generations ever since.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fecko says the agency operates two major reservoirs in the American River watershed, designed to capture snowmelt runoff and store water for future use.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The snowpack in the upper part of the Colorado River watershed has rapidly dwindled over the last month and now measures just 23% of average.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage are approaching a critical deadline that could have long-lasting financial consequences.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The board game features historic and famous landmarks, including the Biltmore Hotel, the Venetian Pool and City Hall.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After a debut season as shocking and raw as Aunt Lydia’s aforementioned act of discipline, Bruce Miller’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s landmark novel drifted into repetitious patterns with a familiarity that dulled their impact.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Boosting China’s bold space ambitions The team, from the Institute of Mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also highlighted their material’s potential for aerospace applications during a pivotal moment in spaceflight history.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Rural Americans’ health care worries reflect broader national concerns about access and rising prices of care as the cost of living spikes — anxieties that could prove pivotal in this year’s midterm elections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
