Climax — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklī-ˌmaks/ cli·max

Meaning & Definition of Climax

Climax (noun)

  1. a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
  2. the highest point, culmination
  3. the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)

Climax (verb)

  1. to bring to a climax
  2. to come to a climax

Climax (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a point in a chain of events at which an important change (as in one's fortunes) occurs

    "the climax of the story occurs when the hero discovers the identity of his father"

    similar: climacteric, corner, landmark, milepost, milestone, turning point, watershed
    related: break, capper, clincher, crusher, highlight, topper, conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, transformation, turnabout, turnaround, boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, zero hour

  2. the highest part or point

    "the climax of her career as a performer"

    similar: acme, apex, apogee, capstone, crescendo, crest, crown, culmination, head, height, high noon, high-water mark, meridian, ne plus ultra, noon, noontime, peak, pinnacle, sum, summit, tip-top, top, zenith
    related: bloom, blossom, flood tide, flower, glory, heyday, prime, cap, ceiling, roof, extreme, extremity, tip, vertex, high, highlight, highspot
    opposite: bottom, nadir, rock bottom
    near: abyss, base, foot, minimum

Climax (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring to a triumphant conclusion

    "organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest"

    similar: cap (off), crown, culminate
    related: complete, conclude, finish, round (off or out), terminate, wrap up

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Climax

The most common words with a similar meaning to Climax:

climacteric, corner, landmark, milepost, milestone, turning point, watershed, acme, apex, apogee, capstone, crescendo, crest, crown, culmination, head, height, high noon, high-water mark, meridian, ne plus ultra, noon, noontime, peak, pinnacle, sum, summit, tip-top, top, zenith, cap (off), culminate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Climax

Words with the opposite meaning of Climax:

bottom, nadir, rock bottom

Related Words for Climax

break, capper, clincher, crusher, highlight, topper, conversion, metamorphosis, transfiguration, transformation, turnabout, turnaround, boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, juncture, zero hour, bloom, blossom, flood tide

Near Antonyms of Climax

abyss, base, foot, minimum

Word Forms of Climax

Inflections: climaxed, climaxing, climaxes

Derived words: climaxless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Climax

Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean

First known use: circa 1538

Words & Phrases Containing Climax

climatic climax, edaphic climax, selling climax

Frequently Asked Questions about Climax

What does "Climax" mean?

"Climax" means a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Climax"?

Other words for "Climax" include climacteric, corner, landmark, milepost, milestone, turning point, watershed and acme. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Climax" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Climax"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Climax". Common alternatives include climacteric, corner, landmark, milepost, milestone, turning point, watershed, acme, apex and apogee.

What is the opposite of "Climax"?

Antonyms of "Climax" include bottom, nadir and rock bottom. Near antonyms include abyss, base, foot and minimum.

How do you use "Climax" in a sentence?

Examples of "Climax" in a sentence: "the climax of the story occurs when the hero discovers the identity of his father"; "the climax of her career as a performer"; "organizers climaxed the county fair with a down and dirty pie-eating contest".

Is "Climax" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Climax" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Climax"?

"Climax" is pronounced /ˈklī-ˌmaks/ and divided into syllables as cli·max.

What is the origin of the word "Climax"?

"Climax" comes from Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean. First known use: circa 1538.