culminating 1 of 2

adjective

as in crowning

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culminating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of culminate
as in finishing
to bring to a triumphant conclusion culminated the school year with a trip to New York

Synonyms & Similar 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 culminating
Verb
The case centers on one of the most volatile chapters in UCLA history — the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests that racked the university, culminating in a violent spring attack at a campus encampment. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The strong-armed Vinson matched Purcell by completing 6 of 6 passes on the opening drive, culminating in a TD pass. — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 Protectionist pressures rose steadily, culminating in the Plaza Accord of 1985, in which the world’s major economies agreed to appreciate the yen and the deutsche mark against the dollar in an effort to reduce trade imbalances. — Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 Since taking over the firm from their father Maged Riad in 1998, brothers Mickey and Maury Riad have worked to propel the company into a new era, culminating in the launch of its e-commerce business in 2024. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 He has been named to MLS’ 22 under-22 in three consecutive seasons, culminating with being voted the fourth-best player under the age of 22 in 2025. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 The story can work on two levels—as a straightforward plot, usually culminating in a big match or competition, and as a gradually unfolding character study. — Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026 The film charted the life and career of Valens, following him from his farm-working roots to chart-topping fame before culminating in tragedy when the rock and roll star died in an infamous plane crash. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026 Likewise, the film rewards patience with an agonizingly tender culminating shot — a reminder that some things must change while others linger in the amber of childhood. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culminating
  1. crowning
  2. finishing
  3. climactic
  4. completing
  5. fateful
  6. concluding
  7. meridian
  8. climaxing
Adjective
  • That victory was the crowning moment of an extraordinary 2026 season.
    — Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • With the definition still under review, the GRAS rule proposed Monday is seen as a crowning achievement of Kennedy’s food agenda.
    — Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowning
Verb
  • The Storm were just as bad from three-point range in the second half, finishing four of 22.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Messi scored eight goals in the recent World Cup, finishing second to France’s Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race and was a big reason Argentina reached the championship match.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of finishing
Adjective
  • The pilot’s mounting mysteries and climactic cliffhanger might have felt like promises of something shocking.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of climactic
Verb
  • The Ravens haven’t traditionally kept a third quarterback on the 53-man roster, but Fagnano starred throughout the preseason, completing 75 percent of his passes and throwing for 509 yards and three touchdowns.
    — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The Appalachian Trail Conservancy defines a thru-hike as completing all of the trail’s sections in any order within a year, allowing for pauses.
    — Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of completing
Adjective
  • Now, five years after colliding in that fateful dorm room, Tiny Habits have released their sophomore album, Keepers, out now.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The film tells the story of that fateful match and the work the US team had to put in to get there.
    — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fateful
Verb
  • Executive-produced by Shawn Carter (Jaÿ-Z) and Rubin, who also directs, two new episodes will debut on Mubi every Saturday, concluding with episodes seven and eight on Saturday, 10 October.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Judge Buckelew has set the first week of October as his target to have a jury empaneled and begin opening statements, with broader sights on concluding the trial by Thanksgiving.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of concluding
Adjective
  • Back treatments address muscle tension while clearing meridian blockages.
    — Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of meridian
Verb
  • Bloody, disturbing, shocking, and entertaining as hell, the Ghost Ship opening couldn’t be any more different from the absolute slog that follows it, climaxing on a muddled and overly complicated ending.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
  • The film’s first 40 minutes brings what feels like a continuous cut of increasingly bloody action, climaxing in the leveling of an entire town.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 17 May 2026
Definition of climaxing

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Cite this Entry

“Culminating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culminating. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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