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 wry little scene doubles as a demonstration of how perfect fidelity to the truth can produce anticlimax instead of the epiphanies and breakthroughs for which Carmichael longs.
—
Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
That anticlimax had put Carvalho on the defensive at the time, even though the storm caused notable damage in other parts of the Southland.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
Indeed, the end even of a great mystery can feel like an anticlimax.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
This borderline sitcom setup is rife with dramatic opportunity, but Pritzker’s screenplay favors rueful anticlimax over conflict at all times.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023
Not merely failure but ridiculous anticlimax, of itself of an almost epic kind.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023
As the room emptied, Mace weighed his victory against its anticlimax.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 12 June 2023
But once that happens, Rodriguez boxes himself into a corner, with nowhere to go besides a sentimental anticlimax.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023
Here, wrapping with an anticlimax seems to be Aster’s idea of a joke.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Apr. 2023
Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
That anticlimax had put Carvalho on the defensive at the time, even though the storm caused notable damage in other parts of the Southland.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2024
Indeed, the end even of a great mystery can feel like an anticlimax.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
This borderline sitcom setup is rife with dramatic opportunity, but Pritzker’s screenplay favors rueful anticlimax over conflict at all times.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 28 Sep. 2023
Not merely failure but ridiculous anticlimax, of itself of an almost epic kind.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023
As the room emptied, Mace weighed his victory against its anticlimax.
—Dan Greene, The New Yorker, 12 June 2023
But once that happens, Rodriguez boxes himself into a corner, with nowhere to go besides a sentimental anticlimax.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023
Here, wrapping with an anticlimax seems to be Aster’s idea of a joke.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Apr. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anticlimax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near anticlimax
Cite this Entry
“Anticlimax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticlimax. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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