apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·​a·​lyp·​tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik 

variants or less commonly apocalyptical

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-kəl 

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

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• climactic
• pivotal
• decisive
• climacteric
• highest
• crucial

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

Such apocalyptic moods also characterize contemporaneous scores by Alfred Schnittke, Shostakovich’s contrarian successor. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

She can be seen starring as Lucy MacLean in the post-apocalyptic drama series Fallout for Amazon Prime Video. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025

This nerve agent was once released by the apocalyptic cult Aum Shinrikyo on the Tokyo subway in March 1995. —Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2025

In season two of Netflix’s popular post-apocalyptic YA show, The 100, the audience is introduced to Heda Lexa, played by none other than Alycia Debnam-Carey, the leader of the Grounders. —Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for apocalyptic

• cryptic
• diptych
• styptic
• triptych
• tryptic
• ecliptic
• elliptic