drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdra-stik 

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

Now, Blazers Broadcasting faces drastic cuts, with long-time TV analyst Michael Holton, statistician Tom Haberstroh, Neil Everett, and Jamie Hudson all departing. — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

When levels drop significantly below normal and a person begins to experience symptoms such as extreme fatigue, low libido or drastic muscle loss, testosterone replacement therapy with medical supervision can help. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026

There's been a drastic increase Fine particulates and gases, including carbon monoxide, are inhaled and can lodge deep within the lungs, causing inflammation and irritation. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 19 July 2026

During the organization’s annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro on June 8, IATA’s senior vice-president of operations, safety and security Nick Careen warned that if the education campaign fails, more drastic measures may need to be taken. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

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

Rhymes for drastic

• clastic
• mastic
• plastic
• spastic
• aeroelastic
• ecclesiastic
• elastoplastic
• enthusiastic
• iconoclastic
• interscholastic
• megaloblastic
• osteoblastic

Kids Definition

drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

1

: acting rapidly or violently

2

: severe in effect : harsh

had to take drastic measures

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

drastic

1 of 2 adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

: acting rapidly or violently

—used chiefly of purgatives

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

drastic

2 of 2 noun

: a powerful medicinal agent

especially : a strong purgative