variants
also dénouement
as in finale
formal
the final part of something (such as a book, a play, or a series of events)
In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves. the competition's exciting denouement
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of denouement
They were staggered, self-pitying, and seemingly traumatized by the denouement of the Joe Biden years.
—
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, there’s a denouement of clarity, community, healing and hope.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
While the film tends to feel its extended run time by the final act, the dénouement hits with a glorious gut-punch, ending on one last poem from Rimantas as Minde sits on the seashore-like driftwood.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
To be sure, Grey’s novel is a literary protest against the mistreatment of American Indians by the federal government and Christian missionaries, and his original denouement is a little more complicated.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Instead, there’s a denouement of clarity, community, healing and hope.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
While the film tends to feel its extended run time by the final act, the dénouement hits with a glorious gut-punch, ending on one last poem from Rimantas as Minde sits on the seashore-like driftwood.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
To be sure, Grey’s novel is a literary protest against the mistreatment of American Indians by the federal government and Christian missionaries, and his original denouement is a little more complicated.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denouement
Noun
-
The series finale has been set for May 3.—
Rich Heldenfels,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Before her show, the finale of her two-night stint in the city, the Grammy winner filmed what appeared to be an encounter with State Farm Arena staff on Instagram Live.—
DeAsia Paige,
AJC.com,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As in the less conclusive first season, it feels engineered to deliver the characters to happy, or relatively happy, endings, and to send viewers out not regretting their investment of time.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
There are twists and turns aplenty, and a satisfying ending.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From a business and customer perspective, that conclusion is alarming.—
Chris Cate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
-
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a verdict.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Pita’s post also showed the Devil Wears Prada actress posing with her costar Meryl Streep as the pair did press for the sequel in Seoul, South Korea.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
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In the privacy of the talent section, CBS anchor Gayle King gushed to Dimoldenberg and comedian Caleb Hearon, who stars as Charlie in the sequel.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Inspired by the espionage novel by Dan Fesperman, Safe Houses is set in the aftermath of the killing of a high-ranking CIA officer in Madrid.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The two agencies were separated in the aftermath of the 2010 oil spill.—
Alexa St. John,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denouement. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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