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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Recent Examples of denouement
The series begins in 1933 when Gies takes a job working for Frank and follows her through the outbreak of the war, the ordeal of occupation and the melancholy denouement that sees Otto emerge as the lone survivor from the attic.
—
David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
How did the virulent nationalism and fraught politics of France’s interwar period—no less racked by crisis than its nuclear-era dénouement—inform the artist’s approach to figure and form?
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
For a decade, viewers have cringed at Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke’s rocky relationship, the dénouement of which is currently playing out on season ten of Summer House.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
The denouement of the musical bears down, allowing both Barfee and Olive to bring the piece home, and where some of the show’s best music lives.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denouement
David Faris, TheWeek, 24 Apr. 2026
How did the virulent nationalism and fraught politics of France’s interwar period—no less racked by crisis than its nuclear-era dénouement—inform the artist’s approach to figure and form?
—Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Apr. 2026
For a decade, viewers have cringed at Amanda Batula and Kyle Cooke’s rocky relationship, the dénouement of which is currently playing out on season ten of Summer House.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 1 Apr. 2026
The denouement of the musical bears down, allowing both Barfee and Olive to bring the piece home, and where some of the show’s best music lives.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denouement
Noun
-
After her young son Lucerys died in the Season 1 finale, her eldest son Jace (Harry Collett) was killed in the Battle of the Gullet along with his dragon, Vermax.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
22 June 2026
-
And yet, the most gruesome naval battle in Westerosi history surely would have thrilled as a season finale.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
Pugh-Banks secured three individual gold medals, claiming gold in the all-around final and on the vault and floor exercise, the latter ending in a tie.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
-
Other than Bonnie having a new bestie and Buzz and Jessie getting married, the status quo is essentially unchanged, in contrast to the way the last two installments shook things up in a massive way with their endings.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
By the time the season reaches its conclusion, Lestat is still larger than life.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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At the same time, progressive and labor groups that often find themselves at odds with the Chamber are avoiding jumping to conclusions, saying the move speaks more to the group’s quest for relevance than Becerra’s politics.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
David Frankel, who directed the 2006 film, and Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote the original screenplay, returned for the sequel along with producer Wendy Finerman.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
23 June 2026
-
The sequel was directed by David Frankel, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, produced by Wendy Finerman and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt, and Aline Brosh McKenna.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Noun
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The criminal case comes as the victims’ families pursue a separate lawsuit filed in December and amended in April, alleging the crash and its aftermath were marked by a series of preventable failures.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
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Scenes involving firearms alarmed distributors still grappling with the aftermath of the Columbine massacre, while the film’s October release via Newmarket was further complicated by a trailer prominently featuring an airplane crash just weeks after the September 11 attacks.—
José Salazar,
IndieWire,
22 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denouement. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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