Denouement — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ/ de·noue·ment

Meaning & Definition of Denouement

Denouement (noun)

  1. the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.
  2. the outcome of a complex sequence of events

Denouement (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: echo, implication, repercussion, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect, ending, fate, finale, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, ramification, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off
    opposite: consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, beginning, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring, start, antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Denouement

The most common words with a similar meaning to Denouement:

echo, implication, repercussion, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, effect, ending, fate, finale, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, ramification, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Denouement

Words with the opposite meaning of Denouement:

consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, beginning, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring, start, antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Word Forms of Denouement

Inflections: denouements, dénouements

Origin & Etymology of Denouement

French dénouement, literally, untying, from Middle French desnouement, from desnouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, from Latin nodare, from nodus knot node

First known use: 1705

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Denouement

Frequently Asked Questions about Denouement

What does "Denouement" mean?

"Denouement" means the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.. As a noun, it is defined as: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc..

What is another word for "Denouement"?

Other words for "Denouement" include echo, implication, repercussion, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child and conclusion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Denouement" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Denouement"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Denouement". Common alternatives include echo, implication, repercussion, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence and corollary.

What is the opposite of "Denouement"?

Antonyms of "Denouement" include consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, beginning, foundation and ground.

How do you use "Denouement" in a sentence?

Examples of "Denouement" in a sentence: "In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves."; "the competition's exciting denouement".

Is "Denouement" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Denouement" is a noun.

Is "Denouement" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Denouement" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Denouement"?

"Denouement" is pronounced /ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ/ and divided into syllables as de·noue·ment.