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
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024
The neo-noir psychological thriller is a great showcase for all three talents, especially as the tense cat-and-mouse game escalates to a startling climax.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2024
Right underneath the tower is the Trocadero where the ceremony will climax.
—NBC News, 23 July 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
To prove her point, Sally loudly and convincingly fakes climax in the middle of the lunch rush.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024
The neo-noir psychological thriller is a great showcase for all three talents, especially as the tense cat-and-mouse game escalates to a startling climax.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
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
Right underneath the tower is the Trocadero where the ceremony will climax.
—NBC News, 23 July 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 26 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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