anticlimax
noun
an·ti·cli·max
ˌan-tē-ˈklī-ˌmaks 
ˌan-ˌtī-
ˌan-ˌtī-
1
: the usually sudden transition in discourse from a significant idea to a trivial or ludicrous idea
also
: an instance of this transition
2
: an event, period, or outcome that is strikingly less important or dramatic than expected
Examples of anticlimax in a Sentence
The last chapter of the book was an anticlimax.
The movie ended in anticlimax.
Recent Examples on the Web
That anticlimax proved enduring motivation for son Clark, now the chairman of the Chiefs.
—
Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Clark’s final line (20 points on 7-of-18 shooting, seven assists, five turnovers) and the final score made for a bit of an anticlimax.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 9 May 2026
The sense of anticlimax is crushing.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The lore around an alien cover-up could set expectations high for the new release—and, possibly, yield yet another anticlimax in the absence of clear evidence.
—Becky Ferreira, Wired News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticlimax
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Kansas City Star, 15 May 2026
Clark’s final line (20 points on 7-of-18 shooting, seven assists, five turnovers) and the final score made for a bit of an anticlimax.
—Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 9 May 2026
The sense of anticlimax is crushing.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The lore around an alien cover-up could set expectations high for the new release—and, possibly, yield yet another anticlimax in the absence of clear evidence.
—Becky Ferreira, Wired News, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticlimax
Cite this Entry
“Anticlimax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticlimax. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anticlimax
noun
an·ti·cli·max
ˌant-i-ˈklī-ˌmaks
1
: a shift in writing or speaking from an important idea to an unimportant or silly one
2
: an event, result, or ending that is strikingly less important than expected
anticlimactic
adjective
-klī-ˈmak-tik,
-klə-
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