Crescendo

Quick meaning: Crescendo is a noun meaning (figuratively) A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.

Meaning

(figuratively) A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.

More Meanings

1. (figuratively, nonstandard) The climax of a gradual increase.
2. To increase in intensity; to reach or head for a crescendo.
3. (music) Gradually increasing in force or loudness.
4. (music) An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.

Example Sentences

Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.

Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.

The band crescendoed and then suddenly went silent.

With the Stoke supporters jeering Ziv's every subsequent touch, the pantomime atmosphere created by the home crowd reached a crescendo when Ziv was shown a straight red shortly after the break in extraordinary circumstances.

Word Forms

• crescendos
• crescendi
• crescendoes
• crescendoing
• crescendoed

Synonyms for crescendo

Depending on context, synonyms include amplification, ascension, boost, gain, growth, increase.

Antonyms for crescendo

Common opposites include decrescendo, diminuendo, climax, conclusion, decrease, fall.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include increasing, decrescendo, build-up, escalation, rise, spiral.

Related Dictionary Tools