Formal:
* The years of hard work and dedication culminated in a successful launch of the company's new product. (Meaning: The hard work led to the product launch as the final outcome.)
* The research project, culminating in a groundbreaking discovery, earned the team international recognition. (Meaning: The discovery was the final result of the project.)
Informal:
* My trip to Italy culminated in a delicious meal at a cozy restaurant in Tuscany. (Meaning: The meal was the best part of the trip.)
* After weeks of training, the marathon culminated in a triumphant finish line crossing. (Meaning: The finish line was the end point of the training.)
Figurative:
* The tensions between the two countries, culminating in a full-scale war, devastated the region. (Meaning: The war was the final result of the increasing tensions.)
Remember that "culminating" implies a process that leads to a final outcome. It can be used to describe both positive and negative outcomes.