cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks 
1
: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
2
a
: the highest point : culmination
the climax of a distinguished career
b
: the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)
At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
c
: orgasm
d
3
: a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment
especially
: the final stage in ecological succession
the tropical rain forest is a climatic climax —
P. W. Richards
P. W. Richards
climaxless
adjective
climaxed; climaxing; climaxes
: to bring to a climax
climaxed his boxing career with a knockout
The protest in May climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
: to come to a climax
a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses
The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Synonyms
Examples of climax in a Sentence
Noun
The movie's climax is a fantastic chase scene.
At the novel's climax, the main character finds herself face to face with the thief.
the climax of her career
The protest in May was the climax of a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
Verb
The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
The May protest climaxed a series of demonstrations in the nation's capital.
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Recent Examples on the WebGerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2023
Many stayed, heeding officials’ recommendations, and waiting for the climax of the event: The burning of the Man.
—Christina Maxouris, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
The improved forecast may also allow for the traditional climax to the celebration of art, music and counterculture: the burning of a towering wooden effigy shaped like a man, which was twice postponed because of the weather.
—Derrick Bryson Taylor, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
Yet after all the tightly wound silences and explosive noise, the climax she’s devised feels more mechanical than cathartic.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
More than 200,000 of them came to Washington this morning in a kind of climax to a historic spring and summer in the struggle for equal rights.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2023
In the movie’s climax, when Barry and his numerous selves keep rewriting time, even more alternate realities begin collapsing in on the DCEU.
—Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023
Eerie, branching strings are easier to locate and appreciate, smeared across a wide soundstage; the chattering climax has fresh force.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
At the movie’s climax, Jaime is on the brink of death (in a candlelit scene that pays homage to the 1960 Mexican film Macario), and makes the conscious decision to connect with Khaji-Da in order to save his life.
—Laura Zornosa, Time, 21 Aug. 2023
Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2023
The book climaxes with an account of an uncomfortable classroom conversation in 2018 between Jody Podl, a respected Advanced Placement English teacher, who is white, and Olivia McDowell, who is Black and was then a high school junior.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2023
Richert resolves a family tiff with a visually stunning digression of Nick escaping his father’s palatial residence, horseback riding across a vast desert landscape that honors Lawrence of Arabia (anticipating Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), climaxing with the ultimate Oedipal tantrum.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023
On the pitch, his two-man partnership with Chiellini climaxed at Euro 2020, when the pair led Italy to only their second European Championship.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes, 17 July 2023
In other words, The Lesson climaxes with a dead white male author, a black victim-villain, and a triumphant white female criminal mastermind.
—Armond White, National Review, 12 July 2023
The second season climaxed with a massive, thrilling action set piece where hard-punching Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), his best friend Young Jun (Jason Tobin), and their various enemies and allies defended Chinatown from white invaders.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2023
From start to climax, French director Alain Guiraudie’s lakeside thriller fondles the senses as protagonist Franck mills about a cruising spot looking for a solid mate.
—Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 June 2023
The 15-minute crime spree in 2020 climaxed with the death of Beaty, 38, near his downtown residence.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 26 May 2023
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Noun
There was an overwhelming sense that things were heading toward the climax so many wanted.
—Gerald Marzorati, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2023
Many stayed, heeding officials’ recommendations, and waiting for the climax of the event: The burning of the Man.
—Christina Maxouris, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
The improved forecast may also allow for the traditional climax to the celebration of art, music and counterculture: the burning of a towering wooden effigy shaped like a man, which was twice postponed because of the weather.
—Derrick Bryson Taylor, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Sep. 2023
Yet after all the tightly wound silences and explosive noise, the climax she’s devised feels more mechanical than cathartic.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
More than 200,000 of them came to Washington this morning in a kind of climax to a historic spring and summer in the struggle for equal rights.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2023
In the movie’s climax, when Barry and his numerous selves keep rewriting time, even more alternate realities begin collapsing in on the DCEU.
—Vulture, 25 Aug. 2023
Eerie, branching strings are easier to locate and appreciate, smeared across a wide soundstage; the chattering climax has fresh force.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2023
At the movie’s climax, Jaime is on the brink of death (in a candlelit scene that pays homage to the 1960 Mexican film Macario), and makes the conscious decision to connect with Khaji-Da in order to save his life.
—Laura Zornosa, Time, 21 Aug. 2023
Verb
But that’d be a mistake at this show: Yes, the show has already climaxed 25 times, and this is the wind-down.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2023
The book climaxes with an account of an uncomfortable classroom conversation in 2018 between Jody Podl, a respected Advanced Placement English teacher, who is white, and Olivia McDowell, who is Black and was then a high school junior.
—Steven Litt, cleveland, 18 Aug. 2023
Richert resolves a family tiff with a visually stunning digression of Nick escaping his father’s palatial residence, horseback riding across a vast desert landscape that honors Lawrence of Arabia (anticipating Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), climaxing with the ultimate Oedipal tantrum.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 Aug. 2023
On the pitch, his two-man partnership with Chiellini climaxed at Euro 2020, when the pair led Italy to only their second European Championship.
—Emmet Gates, Forbes, 17 July 2023
In other words, The Lesson climaxes with a dead white male author, a black victim-villain, and a triumphant white female criminal mastermind.
—Armond White, National Review, 12 July 2023
The second season climaxed with a massive, thrilling action set piece where hard-punching Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), his best friend Young Jun (Jason Tobin), and their various enemies and allies defended Chinatown from white invaders.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2023
From start to climax, French director Alain Guiraudie’s lakeside thriller fondles the senses as protagonist Franck mills about a cruising spot looking for a solid mate.
—Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 27 June 2023
The 15-minute crime spree in 2020 climaxed with the death of Beaty, 38, near his downtown residence.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 26 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'climax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Phrases Containing climax
Dictionary Entries Near climax
Cite this Entry
“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climax. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
climax
1 of 2 noun
cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks
1
a
: the highest point
the storm had reached its climax
b
: the point of highest dramatic interest or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)
c
: orgasm
2
: a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially when it is the final one in a series of ecological stages or communities
climax
2 of 2 verb
: to come or bring to a climax
Medical Definition
climax
noun
cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks
More from Merriam-Webster on climax
Nglish: Translation of climax for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of climax for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about climax
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