denouement
Plot threads resolved
Denouement is the final resolution of a story's plot—the moment when complications untangle and outcomes become clear.
It follows the climax, tying up loose ends: The denouement revealed the detective had suspected the butler all along.
More broadly, any situation's final outcome: We awaited the denouement of the contract negotiations.
Concluding part of performance
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- outcomeFinal result of events
- endingFinal portion of something
- closureSense of emotional resolution
wrap-up · settlement · solution · payoff · endgame · finality · completion · culmination
Separating twisted strands
- disentanglingSeparating intertwined things
- unfoldingGradually becoming apparent
- decipheringInterpreting coded information
- solvingFinding the answer
clarifying · unknotting · connecting · explaining · demystifying · elucidation · unpacking · tracing
Easing of distress
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- healingRestoration of health
- liberationRelease from constraint
redemption · transformation · renewal · absolution · expiation · reconciliation · closure · purge
Act of revealing information
- unveilingAct of first revealing
- exposureState of being unprotected
- discoveryAct of finding something
- truthAccordance with reality
confession · admission · divulgence · uncovering · epiphany · realization · eye-opener · insight
Failure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- bathosDeflating descent in tone
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- fizzleFail after promising start
finale
Concluding part of performance
- conclusionEnd or deduction
- outcomeFinal result of events
- endingFinal portion of something
closure · wrap-up · settlement · solution · payoff · endgame · finality · completion · culmination · epilogue
untangling
Separating twisted strands
- disentanglingSeparating intertwined things
- unfoldingGradually becoming apparent
- decipheringInterpreting coded information
solving · clarifying · unknotting · connecting · explaining · demystifying · elucidation · unpacking · tracing · threading
relief
Easing of distress
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- healingRestoration of health
liberation · redemption · transformation · renewal · absolution · expiation · reconciliation · closure · purge · release
disclosure
Act of revealing information
truth · confession · admission · divulgence · uncovering · epiphany · realization · eye-opener · insight · illumination
letdown
Failure to satisfy expectations
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- bathosDeflating descent in tone
- deflationSustained decrease in prices
- literaturebooks, book, fiction, poetry, stories
- storytellingstorytelling, story, tale, narrative, narrator
- dramaTV drama, acting, television drama, drama school, playwright
- mysteryclue, detective, suspect, clues, sleuth
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- consequencesconsequence, consequences, result, results, effect
denouementbeginning
Initial stage of something
exposition · opening · prologue · introduction · setup
denouementrising action
Plot buildup toward climax
complication · conflict · escalation · crisis · development
denouementcomplication
Factor that adds difficulty
entanglement · knotting · imbroglio · cause · causation