climactic

adjective

cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
Synonyms of climacticnext
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax
the film's climactic scene
climactically
klī-ˈmak-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
adverb

Synonyms of climactic

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Examples of climactic in a Sentence

At the climactic moment, the main character of the novel finds herself face to face with the thief. the movie's climactic chase scene
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many of the show’s most intense moments, like Dunk burying his mentor or the climactic trial by combat, have no score at all. — Leila Jordan, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026 When the quartet collides in the film’s climactic fight, each has his own motivation and a reason to feel white-hot, incandescent rage. — Andy Crump, IndieWire, 15 June 2026 The second season had 8 episodes, compared with 10 in the first season—a decision that pushed some climactic battles into the third season. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 June 2026 Multiple fighters have followed that pattern as the White House UFC event nears its climactic bout. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for climactic

Word History

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of climactic was in 1747

Rhymes for climactic

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Browse Nearby Words

climacteric
climactic
climagraph
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Cite this Entry

“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climactic. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

climactic

adjective
cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
klə-
: of, relating to, or being a climax
the movie's climactic scene

Medical Definition

climactic

adjective
cli·​mac·​tic klī-ˈmak-tik How to pronounce climactic (audio)
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax

More from Merriam-Webster on climactic

Nglish: Translation of climactic for Spanish Speakers

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