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
Until its climax, the specter hanging over Zsa-Zsa is Nubar, a fellow arms-dealing magnate who may or may not have killed Liesl’s mother. Chris Stanton, Vulture, 13 June 2025 The season’s only misstep comes in the finale, when the growing tension between George and Bertha builds to a climax that is somewhat confounding and — in this viewer’s opinion — out of character for George. Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
All this came after 21 days of ground tests of the Mark 1 in December 2024 that climaxed with 130-knot (150-mph, 241-km/h) taxi tests. David Szondy may 31, New Atlas, 31 May 2025 Their concerts were heavy on guitar dueling and showmanship, and climaxed with Derringer and his second guitarist dramatically throwing their instruments to each other from opposite sides of the stage. Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • The production, directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Steven Hoggett, marks this therapy milestone by having backup singers and chorus members emerge from behind Neil’s chair.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • The club officially kicked off celebration of its milestone April 27 as past and current members gathered at the Point Loma Assembly Hall to reflect and look ahead.
    Madison Beveridge, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Receiving this honorary Oscar is the culmination of a dream.
    Jon Burlingame, Variety, 26 June 2025
  • For Jake, who played basketball at Washington University from 2021 to 2023, draft night was a culmination of the family’s dream: older brother Josh also played college ball at Lehigh University.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Hanna and Rebecca, who had just finished second grade, were among the girls staying at Camp Mystic, a beloved camp founded 99 years ago.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025
  • It’s expected to cost $35 million and would be finished in January 2031.
    Chase Jordan July 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Also, the depth of the stream varies directly in proportion to recent rainfall in the watershed.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
  • Here are the top headlines: Stream restoration and other improvements are underway in the Mill Creek watershed by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, aiming to heal some of the ecological damage the creek has suffered.
    Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Young reached the pinnacle of success in high school at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.—he was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020—and in college at Alabama.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 July 2025
  • That said, James Cameron's epic reaches the pinnacle of disaster-movie impudence with the distasteful suggestion that the most celebrated tragedy of the 20th century occurred because a few lookouts were distracted by Kate and Leo sucking face.
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Investigators are seeking permission to exchange information between the police department and medical examiner's office to complete the work.
    Elena Santa Cruz, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
  • She was then stationed in San Diego to complete a one-year residency in general dentistry.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • To celebrate that landmark album turning 50, here’s one longtime Fleetwood Mac fan’s unabashedly subjective countdown of their best songs, from the massive pop hits that defined their most successful lineup to assorted album cuts and highlights of their earliest recordings. 40.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
  • The ruling in that case declared school segregation unconstitutional in California, a precedent later cited in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education.
    Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The relationship embodies the zenith of the client-advisor dynamic, one that extends beyond the scope and term of a contract or the legacy boundaries of functional expertise.
    Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For such a humanist filmmaker, Boyle reached his zenith by pondering us at our lowest point.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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