climax 1 of 2

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
Regard entry Long Day’s Journey into Night — which asked viewers to don 3D glasses for its spectacular climax, an unbroken, hourlong tracking shot — Resurrection is both breathtaking at times and airless at others. Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 May 2025 With its vintage vibes and slow-burn suspense, the film, directed by Matt Palmer, captivates audiences with its brutal, twisty climax and echoes horror classics like Scream and Heathers. Jane Lacroix, People.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
Both books climax with the weekend in November 2023 when Altman was abruptly fired by his company’s board, only to be reinstated days later after staff members and investors revolted. Tim Wu, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Raymond’s own revolution climaxed in the following year. Matthew Karp, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Their presence is the culmination of a decade-long project under Schmetzer, the latest big game for a club well-accustomed to the spotlight.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 8 June 2025
  • But the opening is the culmination of many more years, stretching back to Shi’s start in the hospitality space.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • If one or more teams are level at the end of the group stage, their finishing position will be determined by points obtained in the matches between the sides in question, not goal difference, like at the World Cup.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • Both finished in the top three in voting, with Verse walking away with the award after posting 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
    DJ Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • The new Compton High School, which will open this fall, stands as a pinnacle example: Teachers will not have their own classrooms — but will conduct classes in various spaces depending on topic and availability.
    Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
  • To most, the rivalry matchup with the Padres was the pinnacle of the postseason.
    Valentina Martinez, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Dart completed 117 passes for 1,353 yards and nine touchdowns.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • The Orange County Transportation Authority, which oversees the rail corridor there, recently completed emergency repairs to a rock revetment that protects the tracks from coastal erosion.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • The red giant star Arcturus can also be found shining high above the moon close to the zenith (the point in the sky directly above an observer) on the night of June 5, while Mars will be visible in the west as a red point of light close to the kingly star Regulus, in the constellation Leo.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 June 2025
  • Over the course of a year, the true sun will move a distance in the sky equal to twice Earth’s tilt, or about 47 degrees (compared with the 90-degree angle from the horizon to the zenith, directly overhead).
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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