as in climactic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point
as the war reached its climacteric phase, the atrocities dramatically increased, both in number and brutality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in climax
a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs
historians attempting to pinpoint the Roman Empire's climacteric, that precise moment when it began its long downhill slide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of climacteric
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
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
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
Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 May 2022
Adjective
Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
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
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
Noun
These are called climacteric, and will respond to the presence of ethylene by producing more ethylene.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 31 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climacteric
Adjective
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Graham describes an almost mystical creative energy during the filming of a climactic reconciliation scene between Bruce and his dad.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Mekhai Lee Emotionally impactful and technically impressive, THEM THAT’S NOT is a gratifying story ripe with moments of joy, a hint of mystery, and an earnest, heartwarming climactic scene.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Without spoiling the climax, A Tale of Two Sisters uses the haunted house motif almost as a window dressing to obscure the psychological aspects at play in this immensely enthralling, supernatural flick.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
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In some ways, Doug’s death signaled two tragedies, as Sage’s grand romance also came to a climax and an end over the course of Gen V’s season two finale.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The one-of-a-kind immersive activation was designed to spotlight the Austrian crystal brand’s milestone 130 years in business and is the brainchild of Swarovski global creative director Giovanna Engelbert, curated with the help of British fashion journalist and critic Alexander Fury.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
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This arrangement reportedly raised tensions, with Microsoft reportedly worried that OpenAI could prematurely declare AGI, using a high-performing AI model as the milestone, which would have major financial and IP implications for both companies.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The build-up of phosphorus in the watershed's soil would take decades to deplete even if all litter application there stopped, according to court testimony.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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This year’s grants range from $15,000 to $103,000 and will go to nonprofits to monitor water quality, restore the watershed and improve coastal resilience.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This may leave countries to do more in terms of adaption to the changing climate whether or not the shift reaches the most apocalyptic forecasts of climate campaigners.—
Matthew Tostevin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The name, borrowed from the post-apocalyptic movie series, immediately drew attention for its bold tone.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The poetic image of the boomerang traveling through space rings real and true in this landmark study as a feat of engineering and an enduring symbol that traversed and survived colonialism.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
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Once the residence of sultans, this 17th-century landmark in Istanbul now invites discerning travelers to experience imperial grandeur infused with contemporary touches.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Black Americans were at a critical juncture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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After the war, Riefenstahl’s career included invitations to film festivals and critical praise, a lovely lake home in Bavaria, and snarling attacks on anyone who questioned her lies.—
Sally Jenkins,
The Atlantic,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hoover helped the offense convert two pivotal third downs on the decisive drive late in the fourth quarter as the Horned Frogs took over six minutes off the clock before McCashland’s field goal.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Oct. 2025
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In 1946-47, the Ruoccos played a pivotal role in founding a multidisciplinary artists’ organization called the Allied Artists Council, a subgroup of which, the Allied Craftsmen, has a vibrant membership and active presence in the community after nearly 80 years.—
Michael James Rocha,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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