Definition of Anticlimax

1. Noun. A disappointing decline after a previous rise. "The anticlimax of a brilliant career"

Generic synonyms: Downfall, Fall
Derivative terms: Anticlimactic

2. Noun. A change from a serious subject to a disappointing one.
Exact synonyms: Bathos
Group relationships: Story
Generic synonyms: Close, Closing, Conclusion, End, Ending
Derivative terms: Anticlimactic

Definition of Anticlimax

1. n. A sentence in which the ideas fall, or become less important and striking, at the close; -- the opposite of climax. It produces a ridiculous effect.

Definition of Anticlimax

1. Noun. A break in the final crescendo or climax of a narrative, producing a disappointing end. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Anticlimax

1. [n -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Anticlimax

anticke
anticked
anticker
antickers
anticking
antickly
anticks
anticlastic
anticlerical
anticlericalism
anticlericals
anticlimactic
anticlimactical
anticlimactically
anticlimax (current term)
anticlimaxes
anticlimb
anticlinal
anticlinals
anticline
anticlined
anticlines
anticling
anticlinoria
anticlinorium
anticlinoriums
anticlockwise
anticloning
anticlot

Literary usage of Anticlimax

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Principles of Rhetoric: With Constructive and Critical Work in Composition by Elizabeth Hill Spalding (1905)
"Climax and anticlimax The term climax was explained and illustrated under ... The anticlimax consists of a series of expressions, each weaker or less ..."

2. Aids to English Composition, Prepared for Students of All Grades: Embracing by Richard Green Parker (1863)
"anticlimax. The descent from great things to small is termed anticlimax. It is the opposite of climax, and is found principally in ludicrous compositions. ..."

3. Elementary English Composition by Fred Newton Scott, Joseph Villiers Denney (1908)
"Humorous anticlimax. When De Quincey, in Murder considered as one of the Fine ... In humorous anticlimax the writer emphasizes the contradiction of ideas by ..."

4. Letters by Algernon Charles Swinburne, Edmund Gosse, Thomas James Wise (1919)
"After that, anything would be an anticlimax. Ever sincerely yours, AC SWINBURNE. LETTER CI To EDMUND GOSSE The Pines. November I3th, [i8]86. ..."

5. The Letters of Algernon Charles Swinburne by Algernon Charles Swinburne (1919)
"After that, anything would be an anticlimax. Ever sincerely yours, AC SWINBURNE. LETTER CI To EDMUND GOSSE The Pines. November i$th, [i8]86. ..."

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