as in pinnacle
the highest part or point
excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to peak
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crescendo
James McNicholas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Pellegrino’s putback on Saturday marked a crescendo to a late first-half flurry of action.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
But while the impact of Edward’s abdication lingered for years, the crisis reached a crescendo in a few days.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Her four-year career and the Gophers’ current season are coming to a crescendo.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Noun
As the crescendo builds, there’s yet more noise from outside the bar.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Pellegrino’s putback on Saturday marked a crescendo to a late first-half flurry of action.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
But while the impact of Edward’s abdication lingered for years, the crisis reached a crescendo in a few days.
—ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026
Her four-year career and the Gophers’ current season are coming to a crescendo.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crescendo
Noun
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This year your creativity, zest and desire for life are at a pinnacle.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
17 Mar. 2026
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It was transformed into a 125-unit luxury condo by 2002, the pinnacle of which is a quadplex with an 80-foot stainless-steel slide, a rock wall, and a rope swing.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The significant heat wave is expected to peak on Tuesday and remain through Friday for most areas.—
Chelsea Hylton,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Blood pressure reductions can peak within a few hours of drinking beet juice and wear off within about 10 hours — meaning consistent intake may be needed to maintain the benefit.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This cycle has reached its zenith in Netanyahu’s latest and greatest gamble.—
Yair Rosenberg,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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This electrifying combo of documentary and concert film showcases the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his creative zenith during his 1970s Las Vegas residency and early '70s tours, and more importantly showcases Presley in all of his jumpsuited splendor, as both cultural icon and cool guy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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As Joachim Trier stood on the Dolby Theatre stage, clutching Norway’s first Academy Award, the moment marked the culmination of a decades-long national project — built patiently, deliberately and with oil money turned into cultural capital.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
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The game was the culmination of a weekend’s worth of events.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The result was a 9-1 thumping by the Hurricanes that started the Panthers’ 6-11-0 spiral that dropped them from playoff contention and also triggered Carolina’s 12-game point streak that vaulted the team to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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Lale Esquivel’s solo homer led off the top of sixth inning where the Mustangs scored 5 times.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Betty, attempting to paper over her unthinkable loss, dresses Laura in her daughter’s clothes, gives her her daughter’s place at family meals, has her daughter’s bike fixed to Laura’s height.—
Holden Seidlitz,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
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Learn about Outside Online's affiliate link policy Arborists work in a world of extreme heights and life-or-death consequences every day.—
Calin Van Paris,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Father Dickie, mother Imelda, kids Cass and PJ each get a chance at the novel’s helm, building to a climax that is tense and unforgettable.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
-
This is the climax of the movie and the soundtrack.—
Charlie Harding,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In New York City, the collapse hasn’t been so dire; production has reached roughly 50 percent of its mid-2000s apex, according to one analysis.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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Wallace's murder shocked viewers and served as the emotional apex of the show's first season, thanks to Jordan's moving performance.—
Ken Simmons,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crescendo. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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