denouement

noun

de·​noue·​ment ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ  dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ 

variants or less commonly dénouement

plural denouements also dénouements

1

: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.

In the novel's denouement, the two hostages escape to freedom.

It is an intentionally unsettling denouement, which is in keeping with the tone and purpose of the entire miniseries.

—David Wiegand

2

: the outcome of a complex sequence of events

the competition's exciting denouement

Examples of denouement in a Sentence

In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lambert gets the last word in the show… well, the last sung word, as Jesus’ crucifixion scene is pretty much the one time the rock opera gives way to a little speaking, following by the spooky instrumental denouement. —Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025

A week after England won the UEFA Women’s Euro final, Brazil also retained their continental title in a dramatic denouement decided by a penalty shoot-out. —Asif Burhan, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

Moderation’s denouement, like The Third Man’s, takes the form of a disgruntled monologue delivered on a Ferris wheel. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

At the very least, the Ray reveal is more interesting than the sequel teased in the movie’s denouement. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French dénouement, literally, untying, from Middle French desnouement, from desnouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, from Latin nodare, from nodus knot — more at node

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for denouement

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• phenomenon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon

Kids Definition

denouement

noun

de·​noue·​ment ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmän  dā-ˈnü-ˌ 

1

: the final solution or untangling of the conflicts or difficulties that make up the plot of a literary work

2

: the outcome of a complicated or difficult situation or sequence of events