Illustration of crescendo
- mark indicating crescendo 2
cre·scen·do
krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 
plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi
krə-ˈshen-dē
1
a
: a gradual increase
a crescendo of excitement
specifically
: a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage
b
: the peak of a gradual increase : climax
… complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo …—
Down Beat
Down Beat2
: a crescendo musical passage
crescendo
intransitive verb
crescendo
2 of 2adverb or adjective
: with an increase in volume
—used as a direction in music
Synonyms
Examples of crescendo in a Sentence
Noun
The noise rose to a crescendo.
excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage
Recent Examples on the WebEliana Dockterman, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
While organic curves have long been beloved by those with contemporary tastes and the rhythm of a scalloped border associated with Palm Beach prep, the two motifs have struck a crescendo in the newly popular wave motif.
—Marni Elyse Katz, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crescendo 
Noun
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s synth soundtrack crescendos as the boys stretch their long limbs across the court to catch each other’s drop shots.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024
While organic curves have long been beloved by those with contemporary tastes and the rhythm of a scalloped border associated with Palm Beach prep, the two motifs have struck a crescendo in the newly popular wave motif.
—Marni Elyse Katz, Robb Report, 21 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crescendo
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crescendo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to crescendo
Dictionary Entries Near crescendo
Cite this Entry
“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crescendo. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share