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
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
But then things suddenly get very serious when Zem and Salia wind up falling in love, leading to a tragic denouement at the hands of ALMA, followed by an obvious music cue that must have cost a fortune.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Growing up as an American, I was surrounded by cultural narratives that treated the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the denouement of a story, one that began with the attack on Pearl Harbor and ended on V-J Day.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
The crises of the 1970s—the oil shock, the Watergate scandal, and the bloody denouement of the Vietnam War—would take their toll on philanthropies along with other liberal institutions.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
But then things suddenly get very serious when Zem and Salia wind up falling in love, leading to a tragic denouement at the hands of ALMA, followed by an obvious music cue that must have cost a fortune.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Growing up as an American, I was surrounded by cultural narratives that treated the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as the denouement of a story, one that began with the attack on Pearl Harbor and ended on V-J Day.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
The crises of the 1970s—the oil shock, the Watergate scandal, and the bloody denouement of the Vietnam War—would take their toll on philanthropies along with other liberal institutions.
—Mark Malloch-Brown, Foreign Affairs, 15 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for denouement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denouement
Noun
-
The race came with some drama as a late caution sent the finale into overtime.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Yet to be revealed is the actress who plays Yancy’s (Schumacher) wife, introduced in the Season 1 finale cliffhanger.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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That could mean a major ending, breakthrough or breakdown.—
Victoria Edel,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
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In the bad ending, Fettel takes her child and eats her to absorb her power.—
Will Borger,
Rolling Stone,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the train hurtles toward its final destination, mother and daughter must confront both their past and the paranormal – before the journey reaches a deadly conclusion.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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The tariffs case in most respects appears to be an instance in which the conservative Justices would favor limiting executive power, but the idea that foreign affairs and emergencies are different may muddy that conclusion.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Plot specifics for the sequel, which sees Jake Gyllenhaal return as UFC fighter–turned–bouncer Dalton, also remain under wraps.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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What's more, the TV special will give fans glimpses of two new original songs created by original musical composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz for the sequel.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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So how would Addison Barger handle the aftermath of his base-running mishap that ended Game 6?—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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In the end, McGovern included clips from early morning airport chaos, rain on the Hawaiian beaches, the aftermath of a bloody lip and plenty of screaming and crying.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denouement. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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