A climactic moment in a story or a series of events is one in which a very exciting or important event occurs.
[formal]
...the film's climactic scene.
Synonyms: crucial, central, critical, peak More Synonyms of climactic
climactic in British English
(klaɪˈmæktɪk) or climactical (klaɪˈmæktɪkəl)
adjective
consisting of, involving, or causing a climax
▶ USAGE Climatic is sometimes wrongly used where climactic is meant. Climatic is properly used to talk about things relating to climate; climactic is used to describe something which forms a climax
Derived forms
climactically (cliˈmactically)
adverb
climactic in American English
(klaɪˈmæktɪk)
adjective
of, constituting, or in the order of a climax
: also cliˈmactical
Derived forms
climactically (cliˈmactically)
adverb
Examples of 'climactic' in a sentence
climactic
The sense of panic seeping through the climactic scenes is very well handled.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The climactic scenes are almost all about plot.
Christianity Today (2000)
Concern centred on a climactic scene.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's here that the climactic scenes of the film play out.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They were still allowed some climactic moments of insight and self-knowledge.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her climactic flashback scene begins: 'Ten big men were chasing me down a dark street!
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Besides, if the opera's climactic scene is transplanted to the wings of a theatre where the maestro is conducting it can be staged without scenery.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
(adjective)
the film's climactic scene
Synonyms
crucial
At the crucial moment, his nerve failed.
central
a central part of government policy
critical
The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign.
peak
decisive
a decisive victory in the elections
paramount
pivotal
The Court of Appeal has a pivotal role in the English legal system.
climactical
Usage note
Climatic is sometimes wrongly used where climactic is meant. Climatic should be used to talk about things relating to climate; climactic is used to describe something which forms a climax: the climactic moment of the Revolution.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of central
Definition
main or principal
a central part of government policy
Synonyms
main,
central,
chief,
key,
essential,
primary,
principal,
fundamental,
focal
in the sense of critical
Definition
very important or dangerous
The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign.