Climactic Meaning
/ˌklaɪˈmæk.tɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf, pertaining to, or constituting a climax; reaching a decisive moment or point of greatest excitement.
Sentence Examples
The climactic battle of the Mahabharata takes place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The race ended in a climactic, neck-and-neck scramble for the finish line.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
None
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ scene of the movie had everyone on edge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The movie's ____ ending left the whole audience in shock tonight.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English climax Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English climactic From climax + -ic.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"... and the ending (within the last 50-ish pages) is simply incredible; very climactic."
— 2011 December 13, Antony Jones, “Book review of 'Elantris' by Brandon Sanderson”, in SF Book:
"And in Paris, Wick has a meeting with the Marquis, the Eiffel Tower providing a picturesque backdrop. A big, climactic scene is set on the steps and in the shadow of Sacré-Coeur."
— 2023 March 14, Caryn James, “John Wick: Chapter 4: 'Soars above most action films'”, in BBC:
"Then we went to General Hospital, which is a very climactic sound. And we ended it with the best, Days of our Lives."
— 2024 May 31, Janet di Lauro, “DAYS’s Elia Cantu Reveals The Backstory of Her Musical Performance”, in Soap Opera Digest:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ scene of the movie had everyone on edge.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The movie's ____ ending left the whole audience in shock tonight.