crescendo 1 of 2

noun

krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce crescendo (audio)
Definition of crescendonext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crescendo

2 of 2

verb

as in to peak

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 crescendo
Noun
The crescendo of outsider spending and criticisms could help bolster her appeal. — Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026 Trump’s speech marks the crescendo — so far — of what has become an increasingly Islamophobic midterm campaign by the Republican Party, centered on El-Sayed. — Cameron Peters, Vox, 26 Oct. 2026
Verb
Under the hood, though, concerning signals are blinking that, if they aren't fixed soon, could crescendo into alarm bells. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crescendo
  1. pinnacle
  2. peak
  3. zenith
  4. culmination
  5. top
  6. height
  7. climax
  8. apex
Noun
  • Yes, that was pretty much the pinnacle for Toney, whose erratic play and behavior led to Chiefs declining his fifth-year option in 2024.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Haute couture is accessible to only a very small clientele, but it is regarded as the pinnacle of fashion.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • While Anthropic is seeing accelerating revenue growth through the first nine months of the year, the company's quarter-over-quarter growth rate seemed to peak in the second quarter, slowing to 47% in the third quarter from 144% in Q2.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Temperatures peak in the upper 50s and lower 60s across our area on Monday afternoon.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • Two years later — Cook’s commercial zenith — Darryl was making deposits as flagrant as $780,000 and $995,000.
    — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026
  • But keeping a brand vibrant and relevant, IRL storytelling and experiences have become more and more elaborate, reaching a zenith with the Prada Galleria complex the brand unveiled during Milan Fashion Week last September.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • The assault comes less than a month after the New York City Council voted to end the city’s carriage horse industry by a veto-proof majority, the culmination of a decades-long campaign to end the practice.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The angular, heterodox pickup represented the culmination of Musk’s eccentric brand of genius, at least to his legions of followers.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • To prevent the seed heads from reseeding, do a preliminary light prune by trimming off the tops in fall, then cut the clumps back fully in spring.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Detroit had tarps affixed to the top of its benches to protect players from the sun, a move not usually undertaken by visiting teams in November.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • Indeed, sea levels reached record heights — not seen in more than a century of observations.
    — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • All clouds at heights where temperatures dip below freezing have the potential to create icing conditions, according to the FAA.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • The scene comes out of nowhere, as the family are watching The Muppet Show, and climaxes with David having his throat slit.
    — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • As Melanie, Mitch, and his family try to stay safe inside his family home, the film comes to its truly unsettling climax.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of climax
Noun
  • Slavich’s footage shows the apex predator pulling within a couple of feet of the kayak.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Furious has garnered 43 million viewing hours globally as of September, and risen to the apex of Hulu’s Top 15.
    — Danielle McNally, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

crepuscules
crescendo
crescendoed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crescendo. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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