cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks 
1
: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
2
a
: the highest point : culmination
the climax of a distinguished career
b
: 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.
c
: orgasm
d
3
: 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
P. W. Richards
climaxless
adjective
climaxed; climaxing; climaxes
: 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.
: to come to a climax
a riot climaxing in the destruction of several houses
The movie climaxes with a fantastic chase scene.
Synonyms
Examples of climax in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jack King, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Come January, both Trump and Pelosi will be back in public office for the first time since 2021, when their feud reached a climax over his false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Dan Schindel, Vulture, 21 June 2024
And the overall structure of the scene — a long, gradually escalating confrontation that climaxes with a mind-blowing new piece of information — has been mimicked in films as varied as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Matrix, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for climax 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The Scorsese quote spooks him into coming up with an entirely new climax for Tecto, which will not feature the destruction of the bridge, rendering the crew’s journey entirely moot.
—Jack King, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Come January, both Trump and Pelosi will be back in public office for the first time since 2021, when their feud reached a climax over his false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Without spoiling it, the story also climaxes with a literal disconnection of service, reemphasizing the theme of isolation.
—Dan Schindel, Vulture, 21 June 2024
And the overall structure of the scene — a long, gradually escalating confrontation that climaxes with a mind-blowing new piece of information — has been mimicked in films as varied as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Matrix, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
—Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for climax
Dictionary Entries Near climax
Cite this Entry
“Climax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climax. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
climax
1 of 2 noun
cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks
1
a
: the highest point
the storm had reached its climax
b
: the point of highest dramatic interest or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)
c
: orgasm
2
: 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
Medical Definition
climax
noun
cli·max
ˈklī-ˌmaks
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