crescendo

/kɹəˈʃɛn.dəʊ//kɹəˈʃɛn.doʊ/

noun

  1. 1

    An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.

  2. 2

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

    “Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.”
  3. 3

    The climax of a gradual increase.

    “Their arguing rose to a fearsome crescendo.”

Antonyms

verb

  1. 1

    To increase in intensity; to reach or head for a crescendo.

    “The band crescendoed and then suddenly went silent.”

adverb

  1. 1

    Gradually increasing in force or loudness.

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