drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdra-stik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
1
: acting rapidly or violently
a drastic purgative
2
: extreme in effect or action : severe
drastic measures
made drastic changes

Examples of drastic in a Sentence

The situation calls for drastic measures. Maybe we should try something less drastic first.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This was a primer for more drastic changes when finances get challenging. Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025 Sharif was shaken by the drastic shift in his wife’s priorities, and her sudden dissatisfaction with their life. Literary Hub, 30 June 2025 Critics say the drastic political changes under the security law reflect that the freedoms Beijing promised to keep intact in 1997 are shrinking. Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 The story centers on Man-su (Lee), a middle-aged man who, after being laid off from his paper company job of 25 years, takes drastic steps in pursuit of employment by systematically killing the other candidates for the job. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for drastic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin drāsticus, borrowed from Greek drāstikós "active, energetic, (of medication) acting rapidly," from drāst-, stem of drā́stēs "doer, performer" (from drā-, variant stem of dráō, drân "to do, perform" + -tēs, agentive suffix, with analogical -s-) + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at drama

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drastic was circa 1691

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

drastic

adjective
dras·​tic ˈdras-tik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
1
: acting rapidly or violently
2
: severe in effect : harsh
had to take drastic measures
drastically adverb

Medical Definition

drastic

1 of 2 adjective
dras·​tic ˈdras-tik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
: acting rapidly or violently
used chiefly of purgatives
drastically adverb

drastic

2 of 2 noun
: a powerful medicinal agent
especially : a strong purgative

More from Merriam-Webster on drastic

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