apocalypse

noun

apoc·​a·​lypse ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips 

plural apocalypses

1

a

: 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 kingdom

b

Apocalypse : revelation sense 3

2

a

: something viewed as a prophetic revelation

b

: armageddon

3

a

: a large, disastrous fire : inferno

Most foresters agree that small, "prescribed" burns, carefully controlled, are essential to prevent the larger apocalypse.

—Lance Morrow

b

: a great disaster

an environmental apocalypse

Synonyms of apocalypse

• disaster
• catastrophe
• tragedy
• calamity

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 on the Web

In an era where optimism can be hard to come by, the professed certitude of imminent environmental apocalypse is pretty much the least helpful thing imaginable. —MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

With hundreds of millions of workers hunting for jobs and employers posting open roles in real time, LinkedIn acts as one of the clearest barometers of what’s actually happening on the ground—and its managing director for EMEA, Sue Duke, is not buying the AI apocalypse narrative. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

Kemp does warn his readers to be skeptical of truisms about the nature of history and the odds of apocalypse. —Linda Kinstler, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2025

Especially when the literal apocalypse is unfolding around her. —Charley Ross, Glamour, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Apocalipse "Revelation (the New Testament book)," borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin apocalypsis "revelation, the Book of Revelation," borrowed from Greek apokálypsis "uncovering, disclosure, revelation," from apokalyp-, stem of apokalýptein "to uncover, disclose, reveal" (from apo- apo- + kalýptein "to cover, protect, conceal," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

Note: Greek kalýptein is associated in older handbooks with Indo-European *ḱel- "conceal" (see conceal), though neither the vocalism nor the supposed extension *-up- are easily explicable.

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing apocalypse

• the apocalypse

Rhymes for apocalypse

• apprenticeships
• assistantships
• championships
• dictatorships
• directorships
• professorships
• receiverships
• relationships
• airships
• airstrips
• clerkships
• eclipse

Kids Definition

apocalypse

1 of 2 noun

apoc·​a·​lypse ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlips 

1

: something thought of as a prophetic revelation

2

a

: the place or time of the final battle between good and evil

b

: a decisive battle

3

: a great disaster

apocalyptic

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

adjective

Apocalypse

2 of 2 noun

: one of the Jewish and Christian writings of 200 b.c. to a.d. 150 by an author writing under a pseudonym that is marked by 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 heavenly kingdom see bible