apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·a·lyp·tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

variants or less commonly apocalyptical

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-kəl

Synonyms of apocalyptic next

: of, relating to, or resembling an apocalypse

apocalyptic events

: forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world : prophetic

apocalyptic warnings

: foreboding imminent disaster or final doom : terrible

apocalyptic signs of the coming end-times

: wildly unrestrained : grandiose

: ultimately decisive : climactic

an apocalyptic battle

apocalyptically

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Examples of apocalyptic in a Sentence

No one listened to her apocalyptic predictions. a less apocalyptic view of the future the apocalyptic destruction of the world

Recent Examples on the Web Now, these apocalyptic predictions are manifesting into clouds of particulate peril. —

Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2024 Although skies can look downright apocalyptic during this time, as the smoke peters out in April, a must-experience cultural festival happens throughout Thailand: Songkran, a.k.a. —

Katie Lockhart, Robb Report, 9 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for apocalyptic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apocalyptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin apocalypticus, derivative of apocalypsis apocalypse, by analogy with pairs such as ellīpsis ellipsis : ellīpticus elliptic

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of apocalyptic was in 1633

See more words from the same year