What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
culminative
Example
The culminative effect of the team's hard work was evident in their victory. [culminative: adjective]
Example
The project's success was the result of a culminative effort by all team members. [culminative: noun]
climactic
Example
The climactic scene of the movie left the audience on the edge of their seats. [climactic: adjective]
Example
The game's climactic moment was when the winning goal was scored in the final seconds. [climactic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Climactic is more commonly used than culminative in everyday language. Climactic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while culminative is less common and may be more appropriate for academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between culminative and climactic?
Both culminative and climactic can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, culminative may be more appropriate for technical or academic writing due to its less common usage.
