climax

1 of 2

noun

cli·max ˈklī-ˌmaks

: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness

: the highest point : culmination

the climax of a distinguished career

: 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.

: orgasm

: menopause

: 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

climaxless adjective

climax

2 of 2

verb

climaxed; climaxing; climaxes

transitive verb

: 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.

intransitive verb

: to come to a climax

a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses

The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.

Choose the Right Synonym for climax

summit, peak, pinnacle, climax, apex, acme, culmination mean the highest point attained or attainable.

summit implies the topmost level attainable.

at the summit of the Victorian social scene

peak suggests the highest among other high points.

an artist working at the peak of her powers

pinnacle suggests a dizzying and often insecure height.

the pinnacle of worldly success

climax implies the highest point in an ascending series.

the war was the climax to a series of hostile actions

apex implies the point where all ascending lines converge.

the apex of Dutch culture

acme implies a level of quality representing the perfection of a thing.

a statue that was once deemed the acme of beauty

culmination suggests the outcome of a growth or development representing an attained objective.

the culmination of years of effort

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

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, 16 June 2023 At the climax of the film, Miles discovers that his very existence within the Spider-Verse is a mistake — the radioactive spider that bit him was meant to go to someone else in an alternate dimension. —

Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 June 2023 As with most Dahl stories, Matilda includes relentlessly cruel grown-ups, charming kids, inexplicable magical occurrences, and cathartic comeuppance at the climax. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 9 June 2023 Sealed in the climax of mutual masturbation, Alfredo and Afonso’s torrid affair leaves an imprint in both of their memories. —

Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2023 As the episode reached its climax, the five finalists were revealed: Grace West (Team Blake), D.Smooth (Team Kelly), Gina Miles (Team Niall), Sorelle (Team Chance), and Noivas (Team Blake). —

Lars Brandle, Billboard, 16 May 2023 Even way back there, a sound-level app measured 95-decibel climaxes, the sound of an electric drill in your hand. —

Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 12 May 2023 When the climax finally came, the music spilled over into a grand, sweeping melody with full orchestration, which sounded like a routine Western film score for a majestic scene on Indian territory. —

Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2023 In a deft twist, a discovery by Harlow’s wife brings the plantation’s dangerous drama to a climax. —

Alida Becker, New York Times, 5 May 2023

Verb

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 Their most recent superhero collaboration, Avengers: Endgame, climaxed with one of the MCU's most emotional scenes as Black Widow and Hawkeye try to sacrifice themselves to retrieve the Soul Stone. —

Christian Holub, EW.com, 10 May 2023 Each night climaxed with a multicourse exotic meal, often made from specimens collected by the members themselves. —

David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 7 May 2023 Saturday’s show climaxed with Nelson emerging more than three hours into the 220-minute proceedings to join forces with George Strait, Neil Young and Snoop Dogg, symbolically representing how welcome Willie has been in the worlds of country, rock and cannabis, respectively. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Apr. 2023 Videos of the incident quickly circulated online, showing the massive dragon wholly engulfed in flames -- an uncharacteristically chaotic ending for the show that usually climaxes with Mickey Mouse casting a spell to defeat Maleficent. —

Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2023 In popular culture, the stride of pride always climaxes during the coffee run. —

Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 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

Time Traveler

The first known use of climax was circa 1538

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climax. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

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Kids Definition

climax

1 of 2 noun

cli·max ˈklī-ˌmaks

: the highest point

the storm had reached its climax

: the point of highest dramatic interest or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)

: orgasm

: 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

Etymology

Noun

from Latin climax "arrangement of words or phrases in increasing forcefulness," from Greek klimax "ladder," from klinein "to lean, recline" — related to climate, clinic