Here are some synonyms for denouement:
* Resolution
* Conclusion
* Outcome
* Aftermath
* Winding down
Example:
* "The denouement of the play was quite unexpected, as the main character turned out to be the villain all along."
The term "denouement" comes from the French verb "dénouer," meaning "to untie" or "to unravel." It suggests the untangling of the plot threads that have been woven throughout the story.