crescendo

[US]/krəˈʃendəʊ/
[UK]/krəˈʃendoʊ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. a gradual increase in volume (of sound)
Word Forms
Past Participlecrescendoed
Present Participlecrescendoing
Third Person Singularcrescendoes
Past Tensecrescendoed
Pluralcrescendos

Phrases & Collocations

reaching a crescendo

reached a crescendo

crescendo of emotions

musical crescendo

Example Sentences

The music reached a dramatic crescendo.

The tension between the two characters built to a crescendo.

The crowd's cheers rose to a crescendo as the team scored a goal.

The argument between the siblings escalated to a crescendo.

The movie's tension built to a crescendo before the final reveal.

The political rally ended with a crescendo of passionate speeches.

The storm's intensity reached a crescendo as thunder roared in the distance.

The suspense in the novel built to a crescendo before the unexpected twist.

The tension in the room rose to a crescendo as the announcement was made.

The emotions in the play built to a crescendo during the final scene.

Real-world Examples

So imagine the crescendo of the best firework show you've ever seen.

Source: CNN 10 Student English of the Month

He walked out through the entrance of the tent, the panic rising into a crescendo inside him.

Source: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

He let emotion take hold, reaching a crescendo during a riff about the tears of mothers, widows and orphans in Ukraine.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

But then seconds later is the crescendo of gunfire where at least dozens of shots were fired.

Source: NPR News July 2022 Compilation

One degree of warming so far has triggered a crescendo of heatwaves, droughts and superstorms made more destructive by rising seas.

Source: Selected English short passages

The third line should be one crescendo. '

Source: Garden Party (Part 2)

As the day progresses, the energy of Holi reaches a crescendo.

Source: 202312

My performance reached its crescendo, and the audience erupted in a standing ovation.

Source: 202318

As the debate reached its crescendo, Liao Yuan and ZQY found themselves standing on the precipice of understanding.

Source: 202319

The throbbing chords and breathless crescendos turn shame into defiance, repression into joy.

Source: The Economist Culture

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