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"