anticlimactic

adjective

an·​ti·​cli·​mac·​tic
ˌan-tē-klī-ˈmak-tik,
-klə-,
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anticlimactic (audio)
variants or less commonly anticlimactical
ˌan-tē-klī-ˈmak-ti-kəl,
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anticlimactic (audio)
: of, relating to, or marked by anticlimax
anticlimactically
ˌan-tē-klī-ˈmak-ti-ti-k(ə-)lē
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anticlimactic (audio)
adverb

Examples of anticlimactic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though the ending was anticlimactic, Poirier was dominating the fight before the injury and moved to 2-1 in the rivalry. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 Even the anticlimactic final episode gave Smart the opportunity to play boozy and bored, showcasing her depth as a dramatic actor. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025 New York Giants great Carl Banks got into a social media spat with radio personality Gregg Giannotti on Monday as the reaction to the New York Knicks’ season ending in anticlimactic fashion poured in. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025 In one sense, Boston’s four consecutive wins to come back from a 3-0 series deficit and shock the Yankees happened in an anticlimactic order. Tim Britton, New York Times, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anticlimactic

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticlimactic was in 1831

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Cite this Entry

“Anticlimactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticlimactic. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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