DENOUEMENT Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

denouement

noun

variants also dénouement

Definition of denouement

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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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.

Recent Examples of denouement Not in the sense of maximising their chances of lifting the trophy, though defeats in the last two FA Cup finals have marked out Pep Guardiola’s side as surprisingly beatable at the denouement of this particular competition. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Her plea will spare a lengthy discovery period and likely mark the legal denouement of a federal probe that shook Sacramento after the FBI recorded dozens of lobbyists in the summer of 2024 as part of the investigation. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 14 May 2026 Over the course of the series’ six episodes, their relationship waxes and wanes, but continues to cast a shadow over their fates until the finale’s electrifying denouement. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for denouement

Recent Examples of Synonyms for denouement

Noun

Thompson went scoreless in Friday’s preseason finale, shooting 0 of 7 from the field and 0 of 6 on threes in 15 minutes.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt, who has about $25 million left on his contract over the next two seasons, did not suit up for Friday’s preseason finale.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of finale

Noun

Spanish police have recovered three religious artworks stolen from churches in Valladolid over the summer, bringing the case one step closer to a miraculously happy ending.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Lil’ Randy shouts repeatedly as he is hauled off, a great ending to a pretty great episode.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ending

Noun

Its sequel, Culpa Tuya (Your Fault), achieved the platform’s largest international launch to date.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
After releasing Divergent in 2014, subsequent sequels Insurgent (2015) and Allegiant (2016) followed, the last of which covered only part of the third book.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sequel

Noun

Plus, baseball players historically don’t earn as much off the field relative to athlete in other sports, even in the aftermath of a championship-winning season.

— Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
As the devastating consequences of the war and its aftermath became clearer, the Dutch Boy brand promoted house painting as a means of rebirth and renewal.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of aftermath

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denoting

denouement

denouements

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denouement. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of denouement

noun

Example Sentences

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