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
-
As recently as 2010, numerous audience members fainted watching James Franco slice his arm off in the climactic act of self-preservation in Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
16 July 2025
-
As the season counts down to its climactic final game, these five are forced to confront their deepest hopes, anxieties and secrets.—
Ashlee Conour,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
Noun
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One or more of these golfers is likely to be in the mix by the time Sunday’s final round reaches its climax.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
This unrest reached a climax after his defeat in the 2022 general election, when Bolsonaristas stormed the Three Powers Square on Jan. 8, 2023, just days after Lula’s inauguration.—
Emi Eleode,
Time,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Leading critics of the projects hailed Tuesday’s vote as a milestone in the fight to rein in San Diego’s unusually aggressive incentive for backyard apartments, which are formally called accessory dwelling units, or ADUs.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 July 2025
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The milestone also brought to mind a funny moment William shared years ago about George’s birthday.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
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That’s exactly what the developers — a group of ranchers who have been pushing a controversial 1,800-home development in the watershed of the Econlockhatchee River — apparently want.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 July 2025
-
Advertisement Advertisement The timing—overnight, on a holiday weekend—the intensity of the rainfall in the river watershed, and the vulnerable location combined into a worst-case scenario.—
Katharine Hayhoe,
Time,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Contrastingly, using generative AI to avoid destroying a real building for use in a fictional apocalyptic drama is more understandable.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
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Not fixated on an apocalyptic fantasy, but on the flourishing of real human lives here and now.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Noun
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What beloved Valley landmarks used to look like Metro Phoenix has always been in a constant state of change.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
Paddle down the Cumberland River and enjoy sights like Riverfront Park and other Nashville landmarks.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Future View Of Mentorship Looking ahead, the role of mentors in fostering innovation will become even more critical and nuanced.—
David Henkin,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Most recently garnering critical acclaim for her starring role opposite Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, Depp is repped by CAA, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin, Agence Adequat, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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Lorde, whose music is featured at a pivotal moment in the show, also attended a performance at the Booth Theatre last week.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
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Although initial discussions started around 1999, the pivotal moment came during the blackouts of 2001.—
David Blekhman,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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