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
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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
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
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
-
Image What American and European fans of Mr. Trump see as a climactic battle between left and right is seen by many young Polish voters as an infuriating rerun of a decades-old struggle.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
-
The entire series builds to the climactic moment in that live show where Deborah walks away.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
With its vintage vibes and slow-burn suspense, the film, directed by Matt Palmer, captivates audiences with its brutal, twisty climax and echoes horror classics like Scream and Heathers.—
Jane LaCroix,
People.com,
24 May 2025
-
Bird’s action scenes are their own symphonies, each with a distinct melody and a breathless climax.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
To celebrate the milestone, Florida Citrus Sports plans a year-long celebration culminating in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m., airing on ABC.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hit a record-breaking milestone this week, arresting more than 2,200 undocumented migrants in a single day.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
The Dolores watershed is truly a gem that should be preserved and restored for future generations.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
27 May 2025
-
Each of these Justices has what could be called signature cases, with some splashy opinion reaching to be a watershed.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
The forecast is apocalyptic, but the disaster is always just over the horizon for the people in power at the moment.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
30 May 2025
-
As my colleague Wendy Lee wrote recently, the company is working with filmmakers including Sean Douglas and his famous father Michael Keaton to create shorts that aren’t made with AI, but instead portray the technology in a less apocalyptic light than Hollywood is used to.—
Ryan Faughnder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
In addition to Clooney, who plays Murrow in the stage production, Good Night, and Good Luck features a stellar cast portraying the real-life people behind the landmark broadcast.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
How college sports are preparing for ‘seismic change,’ including revenue sharing and new roster limits College athletic directors, including at Northwestern and Northern Illinois, have decisions to make on revenue sharing, roster limits and more as a landmark settlement heads to final approval.—
Eddie Pells,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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His defenders included Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who has often been critical of other Trump nominees with histories of supporting Democrats.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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But at locations now facing critical shortages, staffing overnight shifts on a routine basis is no longer possible.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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Competing for the pivotal center position are Carter Miller and Cameron Kinnie, both vying to distinguish themselves and seize this critical spot in the lineup.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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Chiuri, who joined Dior in 2016 after her tenure at Valentino, has played a pivotal role in reshaping the French fashion house’s identity and product direction.—
Essence,
Essence,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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