crescendo 1 of 2

noun

krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce crescendo (audio)
Definition of crescendonext
as in pinnacle
the highest part or point excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crescendo

2 of 2

verb

as in to peak

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crescendo
Noun
Those conversations reached a crescendo as Chu, an old friend of Chen’s, prepared to release Crazy Rich Asians, Hollywood’s first studio film in 25 years with a majority Asian cast. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 As the strings quiver like a James Bond crescendo, the song gets stereophonic, like we’re being blasted deeper into the cushions of a conversation pit. — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 July 2026 As the days wore on, the crowds swelled, reaching a crescendo on July 20, after the Modi government forcibly removed Wanghuck from the protest site on the 21st day of his hunger strike. — Yamini Aiyar, Time, 29 July 2026 Finally, the music reached a crescendo as the crane started to pull something from the water. — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crescendo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crescendo
  1. pinnacle
  2. peak
  3. zenith
  4. culmination
  5. top
  6. height
  7. climax
  8. apex
Noun
  • By Christmas it had been canonized as the pinnacle of ‘sad girl lit’ with Martha taking her place in that post-Fleabag lineage of fractured female characters.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Researchers told me that many Democrats believe that the pinnacle of achievement is having a good education and a fruitful career.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Verb
  • There’s no one way to accurately predict which diseases will peak in Boise-area schools and when.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In spring, when rhododendron flowers peak, the bees forage heavily on their blooms.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of peak
Noun
  • If you were forced to pick the moment the Los Angeles romance with itself reached a zenith — and before things all went so wrong — the sunny morning of April 25, 2017, might be a good choice.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Around the time the body was disposed of, Lake Mead was nearing its zenith.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of zenith
Noun
  • The court’s decision will mark the culmination of the fight against the map.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The culmination of a $4 billion project, the observatory is now on its way to a distant orbit beyond the moon.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of culmination
Noun
  • While dark-wash jeans, trench coats, and sweaters may be top of mind, don’t forget your footwear.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you).
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of top
Noun
  • The zoning change would be necessary to build a development of that scale because local zoning guidelines for the downtown area cap building heights at four stories.
    — Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Now, 15 years later, Cook has catapulted the company to stratospheric heights by forging his own path.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • His frantic paranoia makes the scene genuinely hard to read and sets the stage for his horrifying actions during the climax.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.
    — Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of climax
Noun
  • But OpenAI’s investigation found, according to the report, that the heart of the attack began on July 8, and reached its apex between July 11 and July 13.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Tottenham were outfought and outplayed by a Brentford side who, after an outstanding season last year, may have hit a new apex.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of apex

Browse Nearby Words

crepuscules
crescendo
crescendoed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crescendo. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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