Definition of apocalypse
1a : one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 marked by pseudonymity, symbolic imagery, and the expectation of an imminent cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil and raises the righteous to life in a messianic kingdomb capitalized : revelation 3
2a : something viewed as a prophetic revelationb : armageddon
3 : a great disaster an environmental apocalypse
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Examples of apocalypse in a Sentence
His book tells of an environmental apocalypse.
the fear that the next global pandemic could be an apocalypse of biblical proportions
Recent Examples of apocalypse from the Web
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With ongoing uncertainty over the upcoming June 8 general election, Bloomberg’s Brexit Barometer continued to slide today, hitting fresh lows.— Andy Reinhardt And yet, London’s Brexit apocalypse is nowhere in sight.
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And things aren't looking good, considering that nuclear apocalypse last season.
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As the Taxidermy Championships opened, the streets around the Peoria Civic Center were zombie-apocalypse silent.
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The pleasure of classic low-budget science-fiction films—the threadbare apocalypses of the nineteen-fifties—is the fusion of authentic fear with the earnestness inherent in comic-book-like creatures and effects.
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Willem Dafoe headlines this 2011 drama from director Abel Ferrara, about a couple's final night together in a NYC loft on the eve of an impending apocalypse.
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Halloween creeps closer, but Puscifer is there for you, with a digital daydream of apocalypse and heat.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apocalypse'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of apocalypse
Middle English, revelation, Revelation, from Anglo-French apocalipse, from Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokalypsis, from apokalyptein to uncover, from apo- + kalyptein to cover — more at hell
First Known Use: 13th century
Other Bible Terms
APOCALYPSE Defined for English Language Learners
apocalypse
playDefinition of apocalypse for English Language Learners
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: a great disaster : a sudden and very bad event that causes much fear, loss, or destruction
Learn More about apocalypse
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See words that rhyme with apocalypse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for apocalypse Spanish Central: Translation of apocalypse Nglish: Translation of apocalypse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apocalypse for Arabic speakers
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