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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of climactic
The effort was especially important in sectors like agriculture, which is both emissions-heavy and extremely vulnerable to the weather shocks that come with even small climactic shifts.
—
Jake Bittle, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025
All the preceding intrigue is really a setup for climactic dialogues between father and daughter that are quiet, unpleasant, but fully loaded with stinging emotional payoff.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
When a former member of an elite tactical unit swoops in on the enemy in this Netflix film, the effect is more ridiculous than climactic — our hero’s on a dorky paraglider, and the move lands as inadvertent comedy rather than pulse-pounding thriller.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Most devious of all might be the two attorneys hired to defend young Ma (Julian Cheung and Shirley Chan), a generically evil duo who do everything in their power to eliminate their client — and anyone who might testify on his behalf — before Fok can arrange for a climactic retrial.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for climactic 
Jake Bittle, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025
All the preceding intrigue is really a setup for climactic dialogues between father and daughter that are quiet, unpleasant, but fully loaded with stinging emotional payoff.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
When a former member of an elite tactical unit swoops in on the enemy in this Netflix film, the effect is more ridiculous than climactic — our hero’s on a dorky paraglider, and the move lands as inadvertent comedy rather than pulse-pounding thriller.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Most devious of all might be the two attorneys hired to defend young Ma (Julian Cheung and Shirley Chan), a generically evil duo who do everything in their power to eliminate their client — and anyone who might testify on his behalf — before Fok can arrange for a climactic retrial.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for climactic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climactic
Adjective
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Asked on This Week with George Stephanopoulos about John Fetterman’s advice that Democrats calm down a little rather than elevate every Trump controversy to a matter of existential urgency, the Connecticut senator replied with a flurry of apocalyptic rhetoric about Elon Musk and all his works.—
Rich Lowry,
National Review,
11 Feb. 2025
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The United States bears some responsibility for the apocalyptic destruction visited upon Gaza, after all, having provided Israel with much material support.—
Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The move could mark a pivotal shift in mobile connectivity, bridging the gap between traditional cell networks and satellite technology to ensure seamless coverage anywhere on Earth.—
Harshita Mary Varghese,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Acknowledging the growth that your partner is having will be pivotal to enduring the relationship.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Ratner makes the case that public policy is critical to public health.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
11 Feb. 2025
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All three hormones are critical to our well-being—and all three diminish in menopause.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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After the court of public opinion gave him a decisive win in his spring rap feud with Drake, a Super Bowl halftime performance days away and an upcoming tour, Lamar is on a dominant winning streak.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
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Building a conservative infrastructure Powell captured the conservative zeitgeist at the onset of what would become a long and decisive right turn in American politics.—
Colin Gordon,
The Conversation,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The Department of Veterans Affairs, which provides crucial services and benefits to military veterans, laid off more than 1,000 employees on Thursday alone, with VA Secretary Doug Collins claiming that the move would save the department $98 million per year.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
15 Feb. 2025
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Local businesses played a crucial role in the event’s success, donating gift cards, products, sweets, and pizza to enhance the experience for attendees.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near climactic
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climactic. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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