Definition

A sudden change or reversal in a situation, especially in a story or narrative, often leading to a turning point.

Example

The hero's journey was marked by a peripety that changed everything.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed how a good story often has a moment of peripety?

Definitely! It’s like everything changes in an instant.

Right? That turning point keeps us on the edge of our seats.

Exactly, it makes the plot so much more exciting!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Peripety is derived from the Greek word "peripeteia" (meaning a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances). The term is often used in literature to describe a turning point in a narrative. The prefix "peri-" (meaning around) and the root "peteia" (meaning to fall or to change) combine to convey the idea of a change that occurs unexpectedly, often leading to a significant shift in the story's direction.

Memory Tip

Imagine a story where events take a surprising turn 'around' ('peri-') — that's what peripety means, a sudden change in fortune.

Visually Confused Words