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
Relevance
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
Image What American and European fans of Mr. Trump see as a climactic battle between left and right is seen by many young Polish voters as an infuriating rerun of a decades-old struggle.
—
Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 31 May 2025
The entire series builds to the climactic moment in that live show where Deborah walks away.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 May 2025
Not only did the most climactic moments happen in the penultimate episode (when Commanders Lawrence and Wharton are killed, along with Nick), but most of the surviving character arcs are left naggingly open-ended.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
Ethan eventually gets the better of him in the film's climactic battle, but Phelps still might be a character worth remembering.
—EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Andrew Higgins, New York Times, 31 May 2025
The entire series builds to the climactic moment in that live show where Deborah walks away.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 May 2025
Not only did the most climactic moments happen in the penultimate episode (when Commanders Lawrence and Wharton are killed, along with Nick), but most of the surviving character arcs are left naggingly open-ended.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
Ethan eventually gets the better of him in the film's climactic battle, but Phelps still might be a character worth remembering.
—EW.com, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
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
-
Cassidy said Kennedy also pledged to keep in place a pivotal independent advisory panel on vaccine policy.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s a detail that could prove critical to Overture’s feasibility for overland travel.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
-
The project received the worst critical and fan reviews of any Trek title (even a tad lower than 1989’s notorious Star Trek V: The Final Frontier).—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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
Adjective
-
In the decisive third set, Sabalenka double-faulted to give Gauff a break for 2-1. Gauff led 3-1 and had break points for 4-1 but Sabalenka held and then broke for 3-all.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
The next debate, in which the top-performing candidates face off, may prove to be more decisive.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
-
Crucially, the flagship brand Moncler saw sales rise only 2% and its crucial Europe, Middle East, and Africa region fell by 1%.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share