anagnorisis
noun
an·ag·no·ri·sis
ˌa-ˌnag-ˈnȯr-ə-səs 
plural anagnorises
ˌa-ˌnag-ˈnȯr-ə-ˌsēz
: the point in the plot especially of a tragedy when the protagonist recognizes a character's true identity or when the protagonist discovers the true nature of their own situation
Examples of anagnorisis in a Sentence
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In this case, the act of anagnorisis is one of self-recognition.
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Robyn Creswell, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
One of the greatest expositions of (the idea of) anagnorisis — the moment of recognition in Aristotelian tragedy — is when Siegmund and Sieglinde discover each other’s identities as brother and sister.
—John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2017
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Robyn Creswell, The New York Review of Books, 2 July 2020
One of the greatest expositions of (the idea of) anagnorisis — the moment of recognition in Aristotelian tragedy — is when Siegmund and Sieglinde discover each other’s identities as brother and sister.
—John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Anagnorisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anagnorisis. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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