anticlimactic
gb/ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/ us/ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
C1
property
1
disappointingly less exciting than expected
disappointing because it is not as exciting as you expected
Schéma d’usage :
[event/situation/result] is anticlimactic; feel anticlimactic
Erreur fréquente :
Don’t confuse anticlimactic (a letdown) with climactic (the most exciting point).
Synonymes
underwhelming (Emphasizes failing to impress.)
|
disappointing (General term for causing disappointment.)
|
a letdown (Informal noun phrase for something disappointing.)
|
flat (Suggests lacking energy or excitement.)
Antonymes
exciting (Creates strong interest or thrill.)
|
dramatic (Full of strong, surprising events or feelings.)
|
climactic (Reaching a powerful or exciting high point.)
|
satisfying (Feels complete and rewarding.)
Collocations
a bit anticlimactic
|rather anticlimactic
|somewhat anticlimactic
|an anticlimactic ending
|an anticlimactic finale
|an anticlimactic conclusion
|anticlimactic result
|anticlimactic moment
|feel anticlimactic
|seem anticlimactic
Thèmes
emotions
|daily_life
|media
Exemples
- After weeks of planning, the concert was strangely anticlimactic.
- The reveal felt anticlimactic because everyone had already guessed the secret.
- Winning by default was anticlimactic, but it still counted.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The ending was anticlimactic.
- After so much hype, it felt anticlimactic.
adjective
C1
property
2
having a weak or flat ending
ending in a way that feels weak after build-up
Schéma d’usage :
an anticlimactic [ending/final chapter/finale/conclusion]
Erreur fréquente :
Used most often for endings or final moments; for the high point itself, use climactic.
Synonymes
flat (Sounds dull or lacking impact.)
|
limp (Suggests weak and unimpressive, especially for an ending.)
Antonymes
climactic (Building to a strong, exciting high point.)
|
gripping (Holds attention strongly through suspense or excitement.)
Collocations
anticlimactic ending
|anticlimactic finale
|anticlimactic conclusion
|anticlimactic final chapter
|anticlimactic last scene
|anticlimactic finish
|anticlimactic wrap-up
Thèmes
media
|literature
|communication
Exemples
- The movie starts strong, but the final act is anticlimactic.
- Many readers found the novel’s conclusion anticlimactic.
- The debate was tense at first, then drifted into an anticlimactic close.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The book has an anticlimactic ending.
adjective
formal
C2
property
3
using a sudden drop for effect
dropping suddenly from serious to trivial, often as a joke
Schéma d’usage :
an anticlimactic [shift/line/ending]
Erreur fréquente :
This sense is about intentional style; sense 1 is about disappointment in real life.
Synonymes
bathos (Literary term for a sudden drop from the lofty to the trivial.)
Antonymes
elevated (Maintains a serious or lofty tone rather than dropping to the trivial.)
Collocations
an anticlimactic twist
|an anticlimactic line
|an anticlimactic shift
|an anticlimactic punchline
|an anticlimactic effect
Thèmes
humor
|literature
|communication
Exemples
- The speech ends with an anticlimactic joke that undercuts the seriousness of the moment.
- The poem’s anticlimactic final line is clearly meant to be funny.
- The writer uses an anticlimactic shift to expose the character’s self-importance.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The ending is anticlimactic on purpose.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
anticlimactic
API
GB/ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
US/ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
Syllabes et accentuation
an - ti - cli - mactic (4 syllabes)
Stress on 4th syllable (mactic)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: anticlimactic
Famille de mots
Advanced or less common
anticlimactically
adverb C1
Expressions
a bit anticlimactic
1/ə bˈɪt ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
fixed phrase
slightly disappointing after anticipation
a little disappointing after waiting for it
Exemples
- The announcement was a bit anticlimactic after all the rumors.
- It was a bit anticlimactic to get the result by email instead of in person.
- The party was fun, but the countdown felt a bit anticlimactic.
end on an anticlimactic note
1/ˈɛnd ˈɔn ən ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk nˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
finish in a flat way
to finish in a way that feels flat
Exemples
- The meeting ended on an anticlimactic note when the final decision was postponed.
- The season ends on an anticlimactic note, with no real resolution.
- They ended the celebration on an anticlimactic note by canceling the fireworks.
feel anticlimactic
1/fˈil ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
fixed phrase
seem like a letdown
to feel disappointing after expecting more
Exemples
- After all the excitement, going back to work can feel anticlimactic.
- The ceremony felt anticlimactic without the music and speeches.
- Even good news can feel anticlimactic if you’ve already prepared for it.
rather anticlimactic
1/ɹˈæðɚ ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
fixed phrase
noticeably disappointing after build-up
more disappointing than you expected
Exemples
- The final match was rather anticlimactic because one team didn’t show up.
- The twist is revealed early, so the ending is rather anticlimactic.
- After the long build-up, the launch was rather anticlimactic.
seem anticlimactic
1/sˈim ˌæntaɪklaɪmˈæktɪk/
fixed phrase
appear less exciting than expected
to look or sound disappointing after build-up
Exemples
- The solution seems anticlimactic, but it actually makes sense.
- After the big announcement, the details seemed anticlimactic.
- The last scene may seem anticlimactic if you expected a big fight.