denouement
noun
de·noue·ment
ˌdā-ˌnü-ˈmäⁿ 
dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ
dā-ˈnü-ˌmäⁿ
variants
or less commonly dénouement
plural denouements also dénouements
1
: the final outcome of the main dramatic complication in a novel, play, film, etc.
In the novel's denouement, the two hostages escape to freedom.
It is an intentionally unsettling denouement, which is in keeping with the tone and purpose of the entire miniseries.—
David Wiegand
David Wiegand2
: the outcome of a complex sequence of events
the competition's exciting denouement
Examples of denouement in a Sentence
In the play's denouement, the two lovers kill themselves.
Recent Examples on the Web
Cue the denouement of Mika’s relationship (read: multiple make-out sessions) with Jules.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
The story of that dining room—called the Peacock Room and considered one of Whistler’s masterpieces—has long been rife with mythology about the drama surrounding its creation and denouement.
—Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2024
The denouement of the latest season is both satisfying and leaves the audience wanting more.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024
DeGeneres quips about getting into gardening and raising chickens, before offering glimpses of her take on what went down during her bumpy denouement.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for denouement 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
The story of that dining room—called the Peacock Room and considered one of Whistler’s masterpieces—has long been rife with mythology about the drama surrounding its creation and denouement.
—Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2024
The denouement of the latest season is both satisfying and leaves the audience wanting more.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2024
DeGeneres quips about getting into gardening and raising chickens, before offering glimpses of her take on what went down during her bumpy denouement.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for denouement
Dictionary Entries Near denouement
Cite this Entry
“Denouement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/denouement. Accessed 30 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share