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Definition of anticlimactic

anticlimactic

/ˌæn.ti.klaɪˈmæk.tɪk/
an · ti · cli · mac · tic
Adverb:anticlimactically
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anticlimactic Lexical Profile

anticlimactic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing disappointment at the end of an exciting or impressive series of events; much less significant or dramatic than expected.

Example

"After months of intense buildup and media speculation, the championship game ended in an anticlimactic draw."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for anticlimactic
Antonyms
View all antonyms for anticlimactic

Word Nuance & Usage

'Anticlimactic' is frequently misspelled and mispronounced as 'anticlimatic' (confusing 'climactic', relating to a climax, with 'climatic', relating to climate).

• Rhymes for anticlimactic

• Nearby Words

anticipation
anticipator
anticipatory
anticlimactic
anticlimactically
anticlimax
anticlockwise

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century from 'anticlimax', combining the Greek prefix 'anti-' (against) with 'klimax' (ladder or staircase), originally referring to a rhetorical descent from elevated to trivial ideas.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anticlimactic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anticlimactic
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