What word goes between anticlimax and climax?
From my undestanding of those two words :
Climax : point of highest tension in a drama.
Anticlimax : Something which might have seem like a climax at some point is finally very trivial.
I am looking for a word that describe something right in between those two words. nothing seems to stand out, whether it is in a good or bad way.
The joke analogy may clear some things up :
The punch line of a good joke may be refered to as a climax.
the punch line of a bad joke may be refered to as an anti-climax (as it may be disappointing, not fulfilling any expectation).
What I am looking for is the word for the punch line which is not really disappointing, but not funny enough to even make the side of your mouth twitch.
PS : feel free to correct any spelling mistakes present here. The french I am Frenchman in me would be very thankful grateful!
You could say the punchline was tepid, or one of its many synonymns:
(especially of a liquid) only slightly warm; lukewarm.
synonyms: lukewarm, warmish, slightly warm; at room temperature
"tepid water"
showing little enthusiasm.
"the applause was tepid"
synonyms: unenthusiastic, apathetic, muted, halfhearted, so-so, 'comme ci, comme ça', indifferent, subdued, cool, lukewarm, uninterested, unenthused
"a tepid response"
You might also describe the punchline as meh, depending on how informal your context is:
expressing a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
"Meh. I'm not impressed so far"
uninspiring; unexceptional.
"a lot of his movies are … meh"