anticlimax

American  

[an-ti-klahy-maks] / ˌæn tɪˈklaɪ mæks /

noun

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

2. 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.

3. 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.”

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anticlimax British  

/ ˌæntɪklaɪˈmæktɪk, ˌæntɪˈklaɪmæks /

noun

1. a disappointing or ineffective conclusion to a series of events, etc

2. a sudden change from a serious subject to one that is disappointing or ludicrous

3. rhetoric a descent in discourse from the significant or important to the trivial, inconsequential, etc

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Other Word Forms

• anticlimactic adjective
• anticlimactically adverb

Etymology

Origin of anticlimax

First recorded in 1720–30; anti- + climax

Explanation

If you think you’re approaching the high point, but then realize it’s really the low point, that’s an anticlimax — a moment when excitement quickly changes to disappointment. In a movie or book, a climax is the point where, after a long buildup, everything gets really intense and dramatic. But if there’s a lot of buildup and then suddenly something really boring happens, that’s an anticlimax. Like waiting all day to see fireworks, but then nobody has any matches. It can also mean discussing something important like war or art, and then someone interrupts to talk about candy. Talk about a letdown.

Example Sentences

Pulp guitarist Mark Webber told 6 Music's Lauren Laverne the show had been "a slight anticlimax, to be honest".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

Obviously, another book at this time about exactly the same subject would be a sad anticlimax!

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2024

Indeed, the end even of a great mystery can feel like an anticlimax.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2023

Getting that far only to lose in six after the epic Colorado series, again, would have seemed an anticlimax.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2023

Although it was only the sixth round out of twenty-two, for Bobby everything that followed from Bronstein was an emotional anticlimax.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• letdown