climacteric 1 of 2

adjective

klī-ˈmak-t(ə-)rik How to pronounce climacteric (audio)
Definition of climactericnext
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

climacteric

2 of 2

noun

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

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 climacteric
Adjective
Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025 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
  1. climactic
  2. climax
  3. apocalyptic
  4. milestone
  5. critical
  6. watershed
  7. pivotal
  8. landmark
Adjective
  • Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Their climactic scenes near the end, once all the obstacles have been removed, are lovely — and not just because Austen’s prose in their outcome is so indestructible.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of climactic
Noun
  • Jo and Raissa play this conflict out on screen in a story that balances action and adventure with an emotional climax that left me in tears.
    — Parents, Parents, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The climax of the book is the fight over who would run the private company.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of climax
Adjective
  • For all the apocalyptic overtones in the film, Gibney doesn’t want audiences to come away feeling hopeless.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • TikTok filled with videos of grim stores nearing closure that looked more apocalyptic than luxurious.
    — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of apocalyptic
Noun
  • Though the dinner gala is toasting a milestone anniversary of 50 years, the clinic itself celebrates 60 years of service in Los Angeles.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Stacey Aglok MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril’s series is co-produced with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in partnership with APTN and represented a key milestone for Netflix in Canada, being its first original.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of milestone
Adjective
  • Accessibility At 900 feet high, accessibility played a critical role in the project.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Washington has placed greater emphasis on producing critical weapons at higher rates.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Noun
  • This would give local managers greater flexibility to address wildfire risk, forest health, watersheds, timber production and local economic conditions.
    — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The authority cited current and projected lake levels, near-average precipitation across the canal’s watershed and the water-saving measures in place at the locks as reasons for the about-face.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of watershed
Adjective
  • Its produce is pivotal in curbing supply-side inflation domestically, and the country ranks among the top global exporters of rice and sugar.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s the recurring omission of pivotal moments — in the last two weeks alone, Mae’s death happens offscreen, as does everyone finding out about it — which is less vexing with tough scenes than joyous ones.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Noun
  • The park's significance was formally recognized in 2000 when the city designated it as a historic landmark.
    — Alexis Guerrero, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His vision for the 1920s landmark includes art galleries, fashion showrooms and event space.
    — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of landmark

Browse Nearby Words

cliffs
climacteric
climacterics
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Cite this Entry

“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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