denouement
noun
de·noue·ment
ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ 
dā-ˈnü-ˌmä
variants
or less commonly dénouement
1
: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a literary work
In the denouement, the two lovers commit suicide.
2
: the outcome of a complex sequence of events
Examples of denouement in a Sentence
In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves.
Recent Examples on the Web
And unlike other, flashier films at Cannes in and out of competition, its tender denouement has lingered on in my head a week after seeing it — particularly Keoghan, who strikes a note of unadorned warmth here unlike anything he’s done onscreen before.
—
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024
That sets up expectations for a denouement involving some kind of twist or retribution, which the movie only sort of provides, segueing from violence to a kind of dreamy deliverance.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for denouement 
Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2024
That sets up expectations for a denouement involving some kind of twist or retribution, which the movie only sort of provides, segueing from violence to a kind of dreamy deliverance.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for denouement
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'denouement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near denouement
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denouement. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
denouement
noun
de·noue·ment
ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmän
dā-ˈnü-ˌ
dā-ˈnü-ˌ
1
: the final solution or untangling of the conflicts or difficulties that make up the plot of a literary work
2
: the outcome of a complicated or difficult situation or sequence of events
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