climactic
adjective
cli·mac·tic
klī-ˈmak-tik 
klə-
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax
the film's climactic scene
Examples of climactic in a Sentence
At the climactic moment, the main character of the novel finds herself face to face with the thief.
the movie's climactic chase scene
Recent Examples on the Web
The song serves as Again’s climactic closer, where the tracklist clocks in with 13 songs total.
—
Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2023
Clocking in at 46 minutes and composed of nine movements, Promises is leisurely, deep and often fairly mystic, with the Philharmonic adding moments of climactic grandeur and Sanders’ playing serving as the sonic and spiritual center, his signature tone offering moments of elegance and cacophony.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2023
Fur, water, lasers, fire and cloud elements are visually dazzling, while the climactic face-off between the puppy protagonists and their adversary feels electrically charged in these capable animators’ hands.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
That what produces a how and why: the detective’s climactic explanation.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
Enter Fassbender’s character, Thomas Rongen, a hothead with an alcohol problem and an emotional backstory which the movie keeps up its sleeve until halftime of the climactic game.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2023
Following Cole Becker’s extra point, the game is tied at 13-13, setting up a climactic conclusion.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
In a climactic moment from the episode, Cyrus' character is strapped down to a gurney hysterically begging someone not to inject her with a mysterious liquid drug.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023
Those hoping to watch the incineration of the festival’s eponymous wooden effigy Saturday night were disappointed: The soggy weather postponed the climactic ceremony to Sunday.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
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Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2023
Clocking in at 46 minutes and composed of nine movements, Promises is leisurely, deep and often fairly mystic, with the Philharmonic adding moments of climactic grandeur and Sanders’ playing serving as the sonic and spiritual center, his signature tone offering moments of elegance and cacophony.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2023
Fur, water, lasers, fire and cloud elements are visually dazzling, while the climactic face-off between the puppy protagonists and their adversary feels electrically charged in these capable animators’ hands.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 18 Sep. 2023
That what produces a how and why: the detective’s climactic explanation.
—Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023
Enter Fassbender’s character, Thomas Rongen, a hothead with an alcohol problem and an emotional backstory which the movie keeps up its sleeve until halftime of the climactic game.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2023
Following Cole Becker’s extra point, the game is tied at 13-13, setting up a climactic conclusion.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
In a climactic moment from the episode, Cyrus' character is strapped down to a gurney hysterically begging someone not to inject her with a mysterious liquid drug.
—Zoey Lyttle, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2023
Those hoping to watch the incineration of the festival’s eponymous wooden effigy Saturday night were disappointed: The soggy weather postponed the climactic ceremony to Sunday.
—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'climactic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1747, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near climactic
Cite this Entry
“Climactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climactic. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
climactic
adjective
cli·mac·tic
klī-ˈmak-tik
klə-
: of, relating to, or being a climax
the movie's climactic scene
Medical Definition
climactic
adjective
cli·mac·tic
klī-ˈmak-tik
: of, relating to, or constituting a climax
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