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
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What everyone remembers most from Dumb and Dumber is the climactic explosive-diarrhea scene.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
TIME,
19 Mar. 2025
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The climactic scene in that film took place when Wallace’s mother and her son face the difficult decision of battling heatstroke in a car that won’t start or confronting the big, rabid dog waiting for them outside the small vehicle.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Its wartime atmosphere gives it a sense of dread all its own and its set pieces are all doozies, especially the Statue of Liberty climax.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Hailey faced this challenging role, which ends in a very devastating climax, with grace and dignity.—
Heide Janssen,
Orange County Register,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This performance marked her first full concert since July 2023, symbolizing a significant milestone in her comeback.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
13 Mar. 2025
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That marks another milestone in the pullback that has gripped investors over the past three weeks as President Donald Trump’s on-again-off-again tariff policy drove up uncertainty and market volatility.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For example, salt can release nitrogen or phosphorus from sediments in a watershed, which act as nutrients for plants—potentially leading to an overgrowth of algae and bacteria in the system, Kaushal said.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Maryland is targeting five of its ailing watersheds for a concentrated push to restore them — but the state’s budget crisis has put funding for the effort in doubt.—
Timothy Wheeler,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The play looks at a more innocent time in our level of apocalyptic fears and compares it to our current state of high alert.—
Jeryl Brunner,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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In The Last of Us, Ramsey plays Ellie, the young survivor of an apocalyptic plague that has decimated humanity.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Fort Lauderdale’s dive tower, one of the tallest in the world, has quickly become a landmark.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
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While Jekyll Island is best known for its beaches, resorts, and landmarks like Driftwood Beach and Horton House, its beachfront bars are what visitors are most excited about right now.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For leaders this serves as a critical warning: the relentless pursuit of productivity without regard for the multifaceted nature of human identity can lead to a workforce that is disengaged, unfulfilled and ultimately less innovative.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Their disruption of this critical shipping route — which raises fuel, freight, and insurance costs, contributing to global inflation — adds to the urgency for U.S. action.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Gherardi was a pivotal figure in the eyewear industry.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
WWD,
20 Mar. 2025
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The immersive experience will allow fans to dive into the universe of the Colombian artist through thematic spaces showcasing her evolution, creative process, and pivotal moments in her career.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Climacteric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/climacteric. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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