anticlimactic
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of anticlimactic
Explanation
When something seems like it's going to be exciting but then it lets you down, that's anticlimactic. An anticlimactic fireworks display would be brief and boring, with subdued pops of muted sparkles. The Greek root of anticlimactic means "down a ladder," and that's exactly how it feels to experience something anticlimactic, as if you expected to go higher but you're suddenly near the bottom of the ladder. In a scary movie, as the hero moves closer to the creepy basement door while terrifying music plays, it will be a bit anticlimactic if the door swings open to reveal a mewing kitten.
Vocabulary lists containing anticlimactic
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: ant-, anti-
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Nickel and Dimed
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: ant, anti
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And the night's only anticlimactic moment came with the reveal of the 'exclusive song' - a unique track Bad Bunny is adding to the set for each city.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
For those who don’t follow industry shenanigans too closely, this result seemed to land as a bit of an anticlimactic “Who?”
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2026
It’s not a spoiler to reveal that the material in the spy-agency’s archives is ultimately anticlimactic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 30, 2025
That was the highly anticlimactic ending for me.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2025
The no kissing is anticlimactic, but some taboos cross oceans, packed tightly into the corners of immigrant baggage, tucked away with packets of masala and memories of home.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
