anticlimax
Americannoun
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an event, conclusion, statement, etc., that is far less important, powerful, or striking than expected.
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a descent in power, quality, dignity, etc.; a disappointing, weak, or inglorious conclusion.
After serving as president, he may find life in retirement an anticlimax.
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a noticeable or ludicrous descent from lofty ideas or expressions to banalities or commonplace remarks.
We were amused by the anticlimax of the company's motto: “For God, for country, and for Acme Gasworks.”
noun
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a disappointing or ineffective conclusion to a series of events, etc
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a sudden change from a serious subject to one that is disappointing or ludicrous
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rhetoric a descent in discourse from the significant or important to the trivial, inconsequential, etc
Other Word Forms
- anticlimactic adjective
- anticlimactically adverb
Etymology
Origin of anticlimax
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.
That three-song suite that concludes “Ocean Blvd” can certainly feel like an anticlimax, or a retreat from the existential questions posed in its opening movement.
From New York Times
Still, the ending is a bit of an anticlimax, as Sterling-Duprey — now festooned with colorful neckties, the ribbons of Oya — finally joins with the musicians and does a few of Oya’s steps.
From New York Times
Instead of opting for an “American Psycho”-style gorefest, “Fall River Fishing,” directed by Eric Tucker, cleverly undercuts the central dramatic event, making the infamous real-life murders the anticlimax and continuing on from there.
From New York Times
The hearing exhibited a sense of anticlimax, as politicians who had prepared to grill Bankman-Fried himself were stuck instead asking questions of the agreeable Ray.
From Washington Post
If there’s a feeling of anticlimax, it’s because the politics of marriage have shifted as dramatically as Biden predicted.
From Seattle Times
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.
