Anticlimax: meaning, definitions and examples

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anticlimax

 

[ ˌan.tiˈklaɪ.mæks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in literature

An anticlimax is a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events. It is a sudden change from something serious or exciting to something that is silly or unimportant.

Synonyms

disappointment, fizzle, letdown

Examples of usage

  • The movie built up so much tension, but the ending was a complete anticlimax.
  • After the intense battle scene, the anticlimax came when the main character slipped on a banana peel.
  • The anticlimax of the concert left the audience feeling unsatisfied.
  • The anticlimax in the last chapter of the book took away from the overall impact of the story.

Translations

Translations of the word "anticlimax" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anticlímax

🇮🇳 अप्रत्याशित समापन

🇩🇪 Antiklimax

🇮🇩 antiklimaks

🇺🇦 антиклімакс

🇵🇱 antyklimaks

🇯🇵 アンチクライマックス

🇫🇷 anticlimax

🇪🇸 anticlimax

🇹🇷 anticlimax

🇰🇷 반전

🇸🇦 خاتمة مخيبة

🇨🇿 antiklimax

🇸🇰 antiklimax

🇨🇳 扫兴

🇸🇮 antiklimaks

🇮🇸 andkoma

🇰🇿 антиклимакс

🇬🇪 ანტიკლიმაქსი

🇦🇿 antiklimaks

🇲🇽 anticlimax

Etymology

The term 'anticlimax' originated in the 18th century from the Greek words 'anti' (against) and 'klimax' (ladder). It was originally used in a strictly rhetorical sense to refer to a figure of speech in which a series of ideas is arranged in descending order of importance. Over time, the meaning evolved to its current usage, describing a sudden disappointing end to a sequence of events.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,756 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.