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anticlimactic

anticlimactic

10 7.3
Less exciting than expected and disappointing
  • adjective
  • /ˌæn.tɪ.klaɪˈmæktɪk/
translation icon : decepcionante
  • I expected an intense finale, but the resolution felt anticlimactic and left many questions unanswered.
  • seem anticlimactic

If we got to trial, it was anticlimactic because they didn't put on near a good a show as we did.

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Examples

  • To most, this anticlimactic end seemed inconsequential.

    Academic text (2011)
  • After the wild taxi onto the field, her first solo takeoff was anticlimactic.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Pretty anticlimactic, if you ask me.

  • The end result and picture to me was anticlimactic, but it's time to move on.

    Blog text (4)
  • Her death seems anticlimactic after all this time.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • That seems a little anticlimactic.

  • I'm sorry, but that ending is... anticlimactic.

  • So there it is, folks, the anticlimactic ending to the I-ate-horse story.

    Blog text (24)
  • It's probably a bit anticlimactic, but I'm really the sum of small acts and subtleties.

    Blog text (7)
  • It's kind of anticlimactic.

Synonyms

disappointing
vsanticlimactic
190 1.4

Not as good as you expected or hoped

focuses on a letdown after a build-up rather than general failure
underwhelming
vsanticlimactic
12 4.4

Less impressive or exciting than you expect

emphasizes a disappointing result after a previous build-up
undramatic
vsanticlimactic
1 4.2

Having no strong emotion and not exciting

is specifically a disappointing end after a prior build-up
anticlimactical
vsanticlimactic
8.0

Less exciting than expected after a big build up

is the more common written form for the same meaning

Antonyms

1.0

Making people feel very interested and eager

15 6.0

Happening at the most exciting or important part of something

How Anticlimactic

anticlimactic
10 7.3
disappointing
190 1.4
flat
297 4.4
uneventful
22 3.7

Surface Forms

anticlimactic positive

Morphology

anticlimactic = anticlimax (semi-transparent) = anti + climact + ic

The adjective is built from 'anticlimax' with '-ic', but the stem change and specialized evaluative sense make it only partly predictable for learners.

Etymology

The word anticlimactic is made from anti- meaning 'against' and climax meaning 'peak' or the most exciting part, like in the word climb. So, if something is anticlimactic it is like the 'opposite of the peak' and feels less exciting than you expected.