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
This meeting point of pleasure and critique arrives at an unstable climax in Brandon Ndife’s Shade Tree (2022/2024). Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025 As the song climaxes, stage lights in the warehouse burst and rain showers down on her and her band. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
The first episode opens with climaxing on the Concorde and ends with a montage of various characters between the sheets (or across a desk) with other people’s spouses, setting the tone for the rest of the series. Chloe Malle, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024 But the episode climaxes with the exit, for now, of its title character. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for climax
Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax
Noun
  • Chantel says that when Savannah isn't showering Ivy with gifts, her adoptive parents keep her biological mom updated on major milestones.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Murray noted that 2004 was a milestone for Black homeownership, hitting a highmark of 49%, but it’s decreased considerably since then.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The 4,000-square-foot unit at 425 Broome Street is the culmination of a series of pop-ups that the brand has opened around the world over the past six years.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Trump’s tariffs are the culmination of a decades-long shift in political perceptions in the United States, in which trade has gone from an unalloyed good to the source of all ills.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The computer’s latest forecast now has Wycombe down to finish second with an average of 88.75 points across those simulations to Wrexham’s 87.13 points.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Miami rallied, finished strong, believed, and these past two play-in games have nourished that belief.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Lower Basin states presented a proposal that incorporated reductions for themselves but also called for cuts across the entire watershed — calculating storage capacity not just on the massive Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but also on five smaller reservoirs, including three in the Upper Basin.
    Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 18 Feb. 2025
  • But dams throughout the watershed had robbed the fish of valuable habitat, and invasive small-mouth bass preyed on the chub, putting it on the endangered species list.
    Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The cut is also inching closer to the pinnacle of both the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Streaming Songs charts.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This version of Florida does have some conspicuous differences from the one Billy Donovan first led to the pinnacle in 2006, nine years after arriving from Marshall.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • He was also empowered to achieve a lifestyle by design that is filled with adventure, including completing IRONMAN triathlons and diving with great white sharks.
    Kody Boye, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The final cost will be set once the design is completed, said Laura Swartz, the communications director for the Department of Finance.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trans groups are worried that Wednesday’s landmark decision will undermine their rights, even though Britain’s highest court said transgender people remain protected from discrimination.
    Kwiyeon Ha and Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The open-air shopping area also represents a cultural landmark, with an impressive variety of galleries, theaters and restaurants serving up a taste of the city’s diverse flavors.
    Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna applauds the fans (Alex Broadway/Getty Images) This would be the zenith, a crescendo of noise.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Conclusion Just as the zenith of economic and earnings optimism in early 2025 gave way to creeping concerns about the durability of growth under pressure from possible tariff increases, maximum pessimism will eventually give way to a better reality.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climax. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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