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Glite Dictionary
thrilling climax

thrilling climax

1 3.8
The most exciting point in a story or event that leaves you breathless
  • noun
  • /ˈθrɪlɪŋ ˈklaɪmæks/
translation icon : clímax emocionante
  • The debate ended in a thrilling climax as both sides made their strongest arguments.

Examples

  • The film reached a thrilling climax that left the audience breathless.

  • What a thrilling climax!

  • Her novel builds steadily toward a thrilling climax.

  • The thrilling climax made the audience cheer!

  • The movie reached its thrilling climax during the epic battle scene.

  • As the story unfolded, readers eagerly anticipated the thrilling climax that would reveal the culprit.

  • The thrilling climax of the concert had everyone on their feet, cheering and dancing.

Synonyms

highlight
vsthrilling climax
169 3.2

The most exciting or memorable part of an event

is used for the strongly thrilling moment rather than general memorable parts
climax
vsthrilling climax
38 3.7

The most intense point in a process, event, or story

adds stronger emphasis on thrill and excitement at that peak
culmination
vsthrilling climax
36 6.3

The highest point in a process or event

emphasizes intense thrill at that stage rather than just being final
high point
vsthrilling climax
30 3.3

The most exciting or important part of an experience

focuses more on intense thrill rather than general enjoyment
high spot
vsthrilling climax
1 4.3

The most interesting or memorable part of an event

gives stronger sense of intense excitement than mere interest or memory

Antonyms

bad ending
2 3.7

A disappointing finish to a story, event, or experience

anticlimax
2 7.0

A disappointing end after a long build up of excitement

How Exciting

thrilling climax
1 3.8
high point
30 3.3
turning point
104 3.7
moment
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

thrilling climax singular
thrilling climaxes plural

Morphology

thrilling + climax

The meaning 'the most exciting or intense point' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'thrilling' (producing intense excitement) with 'climax' (the culminating, most intense point). This simple adjective + noun composition follows common semantic patterns cross-linguistically and would be inferable by a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Thrilling climax comes from the word climax, which may come from an old idea of a ladder: picture someone climbing steps to the highest step, the 'climax'. With thrilling meaning exciting, a thrilling climax is the most exciting 'high point' of a story or event.