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
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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
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Recent Examples of climacteric
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
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
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In one climactic scene, while on an interfaith panel discussion, their argument overwhelms the event.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2025
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There’s a desperation in his cheerfulness, but also, as revealed in a climactic scene, a refusal to give in to life’s cruelties.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The Dial of Destiny, the utterly amazing climax of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
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That represents a huge decline from 2008, the climax of the Barack Obama coalition, when the Democratic candidate won 62% of the young male vote against GOP challenger John McCain.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons continues to exceed expectations in his return from a knee injury while also hitting a milestone Wednesday.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
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Late last year, Factor celebrated a milestone of one million meals donated to the Aurora community during a similar ceremony.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Small rivers in the upper watershed rose quickly, some cresting at historic levels, and have already come back down.—
Amy Graff,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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What to Know California's snowpack peaked at 100 percent of seasonal average on April 4 and is now melting into watersheds.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Curtis Everett in Snowpiercer (2014) Released just two years after the first Avengers, Bong Joon Ho's apocalyptic thriller Snowpiercer allowed Evans to show off his grittier side, playing a reluctant revolutionary named Curtis.—
Devan Coggan,
EW.com,
13 June 2025
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The 1978 book by William Luther Pierce – under the pseudonym Andrew Macdonald – calls for a violent, apocalyptic race war to overthrow the U.S. government and exterminate Jews, nonwhite people and political enemies.—
Art Jipson,
The Conversation,
11 June 2025
Noun
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How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.—
Eddie Pells,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
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In addition to Clooney, who plays Murrow in the stage production, Good Night, and Good Luck features a stellar cast portraying the real-life people behind the landmark broadcast.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Current Treatment Options for Rosacea for Women in Midlife Because rosacea can worsen or change in midlife, dermatologists often recommend a tailored approach that takes into account both hormonal changes and skin sensitivity, making midlife a critical time to seek diagnosis and treatment.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
12 June 2025
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The lads were famously bowled over by an early listen, but the record Wilson poured his time into wasn’t an immediate critical or chart success back at home.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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At a venue like Winged Foot, similar length proved pivotal in Bryson DeChambeau’s 2020 victory, an encouraging precedent for James.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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The Yankees’ catcher played a pivotal part in the series opener as well, as Wells hit a three-run homer and totaled five RBI in Tuesday’s game.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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