Anticlimax - Meaning, Definition, How to Use, Types and Examples

What does anticlimax mean? What is the difference between anticlimax and climax? What are the types of anticlimax? How is anticlimax used in a sentence? Find answers to all these questions and go through the examples of anticlimax given in the article to learn more about the figure of speech anticlimax and use it correctly.

Table of Contents

• What Is Anticlimax? – Meaning and Definition
• Types of Anticlimax
• How to Use Anticlimax in a Sentence? – Points to Remember
• Difference between Climax and Anticlimax
• Examples of Anticlimax
  • Examples of Anticlimax from Literature
  • Examples of Anticlimax in English Songs
  • Examples of Anticlimax in Everyday Communication
• Frequently Asked Questions on Anticlimax in English Grammar

What Is Anticlimax? – Meaning and Definition

The term ‘anticlimax’ refers to the figure of speech in which a series of words, phrases or clauses are mentioned in descending order of importance. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms defines anticlimax as “an abrupt lapse from growing intensity to triviality in any passage of dramatic, narrative, or descriptive writing, with the effect of disappointed expectation or deflated suspense”. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, anticlimax is “the usually sudden transition in discourse from a significant idea to a trivial or ludicrous idea”.

Types of Anticlimax

Anticlimax can be categorised into two types.

• Arranged in descending order of importance
• Arranged in ascending order of importance, followed by a sudden shift to the most trivial or unimportant detail.

How to Use Anticlimax in a Sentence? – Points to Remember

When using anticlimax, the writer/speaker intends to reduce the intensity of a course of actions/events. They move from matters of utmost importance to the most trivial of things, which is mostly intended to create an effect and emphasise the importance of the first aspect or the triviality of the whole situation.

So, when you use anticlimax, make sure you are clear about what you want to achieve through it. Before you write, jot down all the aspects and arrange them in accordance with their level of importance and triviality.

Difference between Climax and Anticlimax

The main difference between climax and anticlimax is the order in which words, phrases or clauses are placed and the importance of each aspect. Other than that, if you see what makes anticlimax different from climax is in its types. While climax has just one form, anticlimax has two different ways to present ideas. Climax is meant to provide an element of suspense, whereas anticlimax is seen to provide a sense of humour.

Examples of Anticlimax

To achieve a better understanding of what anticlimax is and the effect it has on the readers/listeners, go through the following sets of examples from literature, movies and songs.

Examples of Anticlimax from Literature

Example 1:

“Though every wave roll’d menacing to fill,

And present peril all before surpass’d,

They grieved for those who perished with the cutter

And also for the biscuit-casks and butter.” (‘Don Juan – Canto II (1819)’ by Lord Byron)

Example 2:

In the following example from Doctor Faustus, a play by Christopher Marlowe, you will see Mephistophilis (mentioned as ‘Meph.’) offering books with spells that Faustus (mentioned as ‘Faust.’) can use to bring gold, whirlwinds, tempests, thunder, lightning and so on. Later, you see Faustus asking for a book about ‘all characters and planets of the heavens’ to enlighten himself of ‘their motions and dispositions’. After having learnt about all these, he asks for a book about plants, trees and herbs, which is the most ludicrous of things. This makes the scene an example of the figure of speech anticlimax.

Meph.: Here, take this book peruse it thoroughly: [Gives a book]

The iterating of these lines brings gold;

The framing of this circle on the ground

Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning;

Pronounce this thrice devoutly to thyself,

And men in armour shall appear to thee,

Ready to execute what thou desir’st.

Faust.: Thanks, Mephistophilis; yet fain would I have a book wherein I might behold all spells

and incantations, that I might raise up spirits when I please.

Meph.: Here they are, in this book. [Turns to them]

Faust.: Now would I have a book where I might see all characters and planets of the heavens,

that I might know their motions and dispositions.

Meph.: Here they are too. [Turns to them]

Faust.: Nay, let me have one book more,—and then I have done,—wherein I might see all

plants, herbs, and trees that grow upon the earth.

Meph.: Here they be.

Example 3:

“Here thou, great Anna, whom three realms obey,

Dost sometimes counsel take, and sometimes tea…” (‘The Rape of the Lock’ by Alexander Pope)

Examples of Anticlimax in English Songs

Example 1:

“And as I’m sinkin’

The last thing that I think is, did I pay my rent?” (‘Ghost Ship in a Storm’ – a song by Jim O’Rourke)

Example 2:

“New money, suit and tie” (‘Blank Space’ – a song by Taylor Swift)

Example 3:

“Losing friends and I’m chasing sleep

Everybody’s worried about me

In too deep

Say I’m in too deep (in too deep)

And it’s been two years I miss my home

But there’s a fire burning in my bones

Still believe

Yeah, I still believe” (‘Fight Song’ – a song by Rachel Platten)

Examples of Anticlimax in Everyday Communication

• My brother gifted me a diamond necklace, an iPhone 14 Pro, AirPods, and two boxes of Nutties.
• When you go to Italy, visit Florence, go for dinner at In Roma, and definitely have gelato.
• On your way, go to the bank, collect the documents from the registrar’s office and buy me a cornetto.
• The movie has a good story, characters, setting and, of course, songs.
• I know you have to meet a lot of people – the Head of the School, the Academic Coordinator, the Supervisor, the Head of the Department and me.