View synonyms for anticlimax

anticlimax

[ an-ti-klahy-maks ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an event, conclusion, statement, etc., that is far less important, powerful, or striking than expected.
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.
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.”

anticlimax

/ ˌæntɪˈklaɪmæks; ˌæntɪklaɪˈmæktɪk /

a disappointing or ineffective conclusion to a series of events, etc
a sudden change from a serious subject to one that is disappointing or ludicrous
rhetoric a descent in discourse from the significant or important to the trivial, inconsequential, etc

First recorded in 1720–30; anti- + climax

All the same, what might have been seen as an embarrassing anticlimax was a major economic opportunity.

For Chávez, the end of the campaign was an anticlimax, and for Capriles, the pinnacle of his political career.

It was the biggest anticlimax in the history of Wall Street crime.

It was upon a lighter note, not to end in anticlimax, that Mr. Jenyns concluded his able pamphlet.

It seemed certain that the next two days must provide the climax or anticlimax of our whole reconnaissance.

After what he had been through, the Black Mass was necessarily an anticlimax.

The Fourth Act is an anticlimax, and shows up the faulty construction of the drama.

It was an absurd anticlimax to see that bold, bad gunman being jammed upright to keep him from falling in a heap.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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