CLIMAX Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'climax' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of climax are acme , apex , culmination , peak , pinnacle , and summit . While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," climax implies the highest point in an ascending series. // the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

Q: Where would 'acme' be a reasonable alternative to 'climax'?

In some situations, the words acme and climax are roughly equivalent. However, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing. // a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

Q: When is 'apex' a more appropriate choice than 'climax'?

Although the words apex and climax have much in common, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge. // the apex of Dutch culture

Q: When would 'culmination' be a good substitute for 'climax'?

The words culmination and climax can be used in similar contexts, but culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective. // the culmination of years of effort

Q: When can 'peak' be used instead of 'climax'?

While the synonyms peak and climax are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points. // an artist working at the peak of her powers

Q: In what contexts can 'pinnacle' take the place of 'climax'?

The meanings of pinnacle and climax largely overlap; however, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height. // the pinnacle of worldly success

Q: When is it sensible to use 'summit' instead of 'climax'?

The synonyms summit and climax are sometimes interchangeable, but summit implies the topmost level attainable. // at the summit of the Victorian social scene

climax 1 of 2

noun

ˈklī-ˌmaks

Definition of climax next

as in milestone

a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs the climax of the story occurs when the hero discovers the identity of his father

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in culmination

the highest part or point the climax of her career as a performer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

climax

2 of 2

verb

as in to finish

to bring to a triumphant conclusion organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun climax differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of climax are acme, apex, culmination, peak, pinnacle, and summit. While all these words mean "the highest point attained or attainable," climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

Where would acme be a reasonable alternative to climax?

In some situations, the words acme and climax are roughly equivalent. However, acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

When is apex a more appropriate choice than climax?

Although the words apex and climax have much in common, apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

When would culmination be a good substitute for climax?

The words culmination and climax can be used in similar contexts, but culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

When can peak be used instead of climax?

While the synonyms peak and climax are close in meaning, peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

In what contexts can pinnacle take the place of climax?

The meanings of pinnacle and climax largely overlap; however, pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

When is it sensible to use summit instead of climax?

The synonyms summit and climax are sometimes interchangeable, but summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

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 climax

Noun

In the climax of Presence, Rebecca and Chris leave to seek legal counsel for her undisclosed criminal activity. —

Keith Langston, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025 At the climax of the series, Wilson forms a friendship with Bradley, and even gets him his own statue in a museum to recognise pioneering war efforts the US government buried. —

Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025

Verb

The scene climaxes with Sunny, whom Mixxy had not realized was awake, punching Mixxy in the stomach. —

Chris Klimek, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024 The eruption climaxed on April 10, with an explosion so loud it was heard over 1,600 miles away. —

Scott Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for climax

Recent Examples of Synonyms for climax

Noun

Meanwhile, there have been many articles and books commemorating the milestone; one of the latter made headlines Friday for a publicity gaffe involving Tina Fey and Jon Hamm.

— Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
The milestones piled up even before the album was finished.

— Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025