The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word PEAKS
P
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A
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S
More clues leading to the result PEAKS
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Culminates" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case culminates = peaks.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PEAKS mean?
PEAKS noun- A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.
- The highest value reached by some quantity in a time period.
- The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point.
- The whole hill or mountain, especially when isolated.
- The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail.
- The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it.
- The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill.
- A local maximum of a function, e.g. for sine waves, each point at which the value of y is at its maximum.
- To reach a highest degree or maximum.
- To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.
- To raise the point of (a gaff) closer to perpendicular.
- To become sick or wan.
- To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sickly.
- To pry; to peep slyly.