denouement
Americannoun
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the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.
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the place in the plot at which this occurs.
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the outcome or resolution of a doubtful series of occurrences.
- Synonyms:
- upshot, end, conclusion, solution
noun
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the final clarification or resolution of a plot in a play or other work
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the point at which this occurs
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final outcome; solution
Etymology
Origin of denouement
First recorded in 1745–55; from French: literally, “an untying,” equivalent to dénouer “to untie,” Old French desnoer ( des- + noer “to knot,” from Latin nōdāre, derivative of nōdus “knot”) + -ment; de-, -ment
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The novel’s satisfying denouement is assured when a disgraced former colleague of Ben’s, gloriously named Richard Take, accepts the proverbial dagger from Martin.
“He later realized that was impossible, and this move is the denouement of that process.”
Next week the league phase comes to a dramatic denouement with all 18 matches kicking off at the same time.
From Barron's
After the film’s first screening, Weinstein demanded it be rewritten and reshot with a happy ending—but Stoppard fought to keep his denouement of “love lost, inspiration gained.”
Before the denouement came one more opportunity to chastise the Australians, one more chance to be at the centre of a red-hot Ashes tussle.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
