rising action

[rahy-zing ak-shuhn] / ˈraɪ zɪŋ ˈæk ʃən /

NOUN

turning point

Synonyms

STRONGEST

climax critical point crux culmination juncture twist

WEAK

axis change climacteric contingency crisis critical mass critical moment critical period crossing crossroads crucial moment crucial occurrence crucial period crunch cusp decisive moment defining moment development emergency exigency high noon hinge kairotic moment moment of truth nexus pass peak peripeteia pinch pivot pivotal moment point of no return race against time shift strait transition turn of the tide when push comes to shove zero hour

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s just the preceding rising action that feels a bit underwhelming.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 2024

With the introduction of finger spelling, this paragraph and the next present the rising action building toward the climax of this story.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

I wanted to do a story that has a beginning, middle, and end, where each year is corollary to the five points of a novel, the introduction, rising action, complication, climax, and resolution.

From Salon • Jul. 25, 2019

The payoff here, the surprise appearance of Robert De Niro as Robert Mueller, is no substitute for a rising action, not least because De Niro’s performance isn’t exactly worthy of Taxi Driver.

From Slate • Nov. 11, 2018

At the close of this scene Cassius lays his plans to win Brutus over to the conspiracy, and the complication, or rising action, of the drama begins.

From The New Hudson Shakespeare: Julius Cæsar by Black, Ebenezer Charlton

rising action

Example Sentences

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