apocalyptic

adjective apoc·a·lyp·tic \ ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik \

variants: or less commonly apocalyptical play \-ti-kəl\

Definition of apocalyptic

1 :of, relating to, or resembling an apocalypse

apocalyptic events

2 :forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world :prophetic

apocalyptic warnings

3 :foreboding imminent disaster or final doom :terrible

apocalyptic signs of the coming end-times

4 :wildly unrestrained :grandiose

5 :ultimately decisive :climactic

an apocalyptic battle

—

apocalyptically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See apocalyptic defined for English-language learners

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 of apocalyptic from the Web

The first few days of the celebration were not as prolific as organizers hoped, and traffic that was projected to be apocalyptic wound up being average for the most part.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "For crowds in Weiser, total solar eclipse was ‘very otherworldly’," 21 Aug. 2017
But, if anything, the apocalyptic farce playing out at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has provided the GOP leadership with an abundant supply of priceless diversions.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "It’s an Abomination That 49 GOP Senators Voted For ‘Skinny Repeal’," 28 July 2017
Jacob is an unlikely hero, but then, this is an unusually good post-apocalyptic novel.

— monitor staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "10 best books of July: the Monitor's picks," 27 July 2017
That detracts a bit from Simons’ extra layer of otherworldliness that a disembodied voice adds to Brautigan’s bizarre post-apocalyptic tale of a world called iDEATH.

— mark lowry, star-telegram, "Hip Pocket Theatre takes another taste of ‘In Watermelon Sugar’," 19 July 2017
One of the great conceits of progressivism and a certain brand of apocalyptic conservatism alike is that each generation grows up to reject the moralism of its parents: Out goes Betty Draper; in comes Betty Friedan.

— max bloom, National Review, "The Strange Traditionalism of the Liberal Elite," 19 July 2017
Brown sounded an apocalyptic tone in a rare personal appeal before a Senate committee last week, telling lawmakers that failing to pass the extension would lead to fires, disease and mass migration, not to mention higher costs for food and gasoline.

— jonathan j. cooper, chicagotribune.com, "California lawmakers extend landmark climate change law," 18 July 2017
Brown sounded an apocalyptic tone in a rare personal appeal before a Senate committee last week, telling lawmakers that failing to pass his bill would lead to fires, disease and mass migration, not to mention higher costs for food and gasoline.

— jonathan j. cooper, The Seattle Times, "California lawmakers to decide fate of landmark climate law," 17 July 2017
The Fault in Our Stars and the post-apocalyptic Divergent movies.

— oliver gettell, PEOPLE.com, "Ansel Elgort Cast as Young JFK in Mayday 109," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apocalyptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.