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.
Onscreen, though, the moment felt a little … anticlimactic? Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024 Especially after two Opening Ceremonies, Beijing 2022 and Tokyo 2020 (which was postponed to 2021), that were relatively anticlimactic and impersonal due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Paris edition felt both grand and human. Judy Berman, TIME, 26 July 2024 Yet its anticlimactic disappointment—in its very badness—Longlegs is revealing. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 24 Sep. 2024 If they are fulfilled to the letter, there's no element of surprise; the event feels anticlimactic. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 1 July 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near anticlimactic

Cite this Entry

“Anticlimactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticlimactic. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

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