desenlace

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outcome, end, ending, resolution, death
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/desenˈlaθe/
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The way an unfolding event finally ends.
Practice using desenlace in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • La intervención tuvo un desenlace favorable.
    The operation had a favourable outcome.
  • Nadie podía prever el desenlace del conflicto.
    No one could foresee how the conflict would end.
  • Esperaban el desenlace de la negociación.
    They awaited the outcome of the negotiation.
  • La familia comunicó el triste desenlace.
    The family announced the sad outcome.
  • El desenlace de la novela me decepcionó.
    The novel’s ending disappointed me.

Similar words

fallecimiento
conclusión
término
resolución
conclusión
cierre
fin
resultado
muerte
solución

Meanings

Outcome

noun
outcomes
neutral
The final result of a process or event.

Examples

  • Esperaban el desenlace de la negociación.
    They awaited the outcome of the negotiation.
  • El desenlace del juicio sorprendió a todos.
    The trial’s outcome surprised everyone.
  • La intervención tuvo un desenlace favorable.
    The operation had a favourable outcome.
  • Nadie podía prever el desenlace del conflicto.
    No one could foresee how the conflict would end.
  • Su decisión cambió el desenlace de la crisis.
    Her decision changed the outcome of the crisis.

Similar words

resultado
conclusión
fin
término
solución

Story resolution

noun
storytelling
neutral
The closing part of a narrative where its main conflict is resolved.

Examples

  • El desenlace de la novela me decepcionó.
    The novel’s ending disappointed me.
  • La película guarda su desenlace para el final.
    The film saves its ending until the last moment.
  • Un giro inesperado prepara el desenlace.
    An unexpected twist prepares the resolution.
  • El autor reveló el desenlace demasiado pronto.
    The author revealed the ending too early.
  • El desenlace resuelve el misterio principal.
    The ending resolves the central mystery.

Similar words

final
conclusión
cierre
resolución

Death as an outcome

noun
death
formal
A discreet way to refer to a person’s death after illness or danger.

Examples

  • La familia comunicó el triste desenlace.
    The family announced the sad outcome.
  • Tras una larga enfermedad llegó el desenlace.
    After a long illness came the final end.
  • Los médicos temían un fatal desenlace.
    The doctors feared a fatal outcome.
  • La prensa informó del desenlace sin dar detalles.
    The press reported the death without details.
  • Sus amigos lamentaron el doloroso desenlace.
    His friends mourned the painful loss.

Similar words

fallecimiento
muerte
defunción

Etymology

From desenlazar, “to untie”; an ending releases the knots in a story or situation.

FAQ

What does desenlace mean?

The final outcome of an event or the resolution of a story.

Is it only used for fiction?

No. It also describes real events such as negotiations.

What happens in a story’s desenlace?

The main conflict or mystery reaches its resolution.

Can it refer to a death?

Yes. It can be a discreet euphemism for death.

Where does the word come from?

From desenlazar, to untie.

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