climax 1 of 2

noun

ˈklī-ˌmaks How to pronounce climax (audio)
Definition of climaxnext
1
as in milestone
a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs the climax of the story occurs when the hero discovers the identity of his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in culmination
the highest part or point the climax of her career as a performer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

climax

2 of 2

verb

as in to finish
to bring to a triumphant conclusion organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun climax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of climax are acme, apex, culmination, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to climax?

In some situations, the words acme and climax are roughly equivalent. However, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When is apex a more appropriate choice than climax?

Although the words apex and climax have much in common, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When would culmination be a good substitute for climax?

The words culmination and climax can be used in similar contexts, but culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When can peak be used instead of climax?

While the synonyms peak and climax are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

In what contexts can pinnacle take the place of climax?

The meanings of pinnacle and climax largely overlap; however, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When is it sensible to use summit instead of climax?

The synonyms summit and climax are sometimes interchangeable, but summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

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 climax
Noun
Many owners feel a deep sense of anti climax. —Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 Feig loved the idea, and after some tests with a dummy, reworked the finale to create the audience-pleasing death scene that now serves as the movie’s climax. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Her insistence that she’s being hit on and asides about ketchup for her steak climax with a note-perfect response to the news that the restaurant has received some complaints. —Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025 Tate McRae was born in the pop summer of 2003, the summer that climaxed in the legendary kiss between Britney and Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
  1. milestone
  2. culmination
  3. finish
  4. watershed
  5. pinnacle
  6. complete
  7. landmark
  8. zenith
Noun
  • At the forefront of this transformation is the geopolitical competition between the United States and China centered on a return to the moon, a milestone poised to define the norms of space activity for decades ahead.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • This week's quiz highlights leading ladies, music milestones and much more.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of milestone
Noun
  • Hill said the changes to modular housing are the culmination of a 40-year effort.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The attorneys went on to argue that Pavlovich’s lawsuits were the culmination of a plan to smear Gaiman and that any legal disputes should be resolved in New Zealand, not the United States.
    — Todd Richmond, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of culmination
Verb
  • Seven top-five Cy Young finishes, with one trophy?
    — Jayson Stark, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Stoddard was stunned as Kanai got up and finished behind Wang.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of finish
Noun
  • Because Aurora is not located near a major river or natural water body, nearly all of the water residents use begins as mountain snowpack, captured as runoff and transported from watersheds as far as 150 miles away.
    — Mike Coffman, Denver Post, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The states also disagree on how much water should be released from dams in the upper watershed to prevent the river’s two largest reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, from falling to perilously low levels.
    — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of watershed
Noun
  • But there’s one Michter’s expression that trumps all of these in terms of value and age—Celebration Sour Mash, a blend of whiskeys that represents the pinnacle of the distillery’s portfolio that has returned for 2026.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Sea turtles snoozed, manta rays glided, and reef fish darted by the thousands over lava pinnacles covered in corals and basket sponges.
    — Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • If Lee is right, then the insurance department’s investigation of roof claims, which Mulready has promised will be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2026, may have lasted 63 months.
    — J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The tool largely works to integrate a dealerships specific needs into its system and create AI agents that complete tasks to aid the employees.
    — Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of complete
Noun
  • See video … LISTEN Tune in for more on the landmark trial testing whether major social media platforms can be held liable for addictive harms to children.
    — , FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • In a landmark case, a New York jury has awarded a $2 million medical malpractice verdict to Varian who sued doctors for performing a double mastectomy on her at just 16 years old.
    — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of landmark
Noun
  • During her three decades at the family business, Donatella Versace took this philosophy to its zenith, pairing outrageous designs with just the right celebrity, to proclaim that a plunging neckline, or a sparkly jumpsuit, was a statement of empowerment.
    — Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • States Are Taking Control From Markets As an economist, Fatih Birol underlines that the era of open, supply-and-demand energy markets, which found its zenith in the 1990s and 2000s, is effectively over.
    — Scott Montgomery, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of zenith

Browse Nearby Words

climates
climax
climaxed
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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on climax

Nglish: Translation of climax for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about climax

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