denouement
noun
de·noue·ment
ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ 
dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ
dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ
variants
or less commonly dénouement
plural denouements also dénouements
1
: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.
In the novel's denouement, the two hostages escape to freedom.
It is an intentionally unsettling denouement, which is in keeping with the tone and purpose of the entire miniseries.—
David Wiegand
David Wiegand2
: the outcome of a complex sequence of events
the competition's exciting denouement
Examples of denouement in a Sentence
In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves.
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s what’s tragic about the denouement of Biden’s decades of distinguished public service.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Still, for some experts, Bousso’s work delivers a satisfying denouement to the Penrose and Wall singularity story, despite its unrealistic abundance of particles.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 May 2025
But this latest exchange had a far less satisfying denouement: an uncertain military outcome and a diplomatic embarrassment, in the eyes of Modi’s nationalist base.
—Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
His grand denouement is meant to be a catharsis for a deliberately corrective slice of emotional history.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Still, for some experts, Bousso’s work delivers a satisfying denouement to the Penrose and Wall singularity story, despite its unrealistic abundance of particles.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 27 May 2025
But this latest exchange had a far less satisfying denouement: an uncertain military outcome and a diplomatic embarrassment, in the eyes of Modi’s nationalist base.
—Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
His grand denouement is meant to be a catharsis for a deliberately corrective slice of emotional history.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denouement. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
denouement
noun
de·noue·ment
ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmän
dā-ˈnü-ˌ
dā-ˈnü-ˌ
1
: the final solution or untangling of the conflicts or difficulties that make up the plot of a literary work
2
: the outcome of a complicated or difficult situation or sequence of events
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share