apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·​a·​lyp·​tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants or less commonly apocalyptical
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 adverb

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 When Nete decides to join her family in an apocalyptic cult, Edgar finds himself at a crossroads. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024 But this isn’t the first time that Musk has forecast an apocalyptic scenario that will doom society. William Gavin, Quartz, 23 Sep. 2024 In stark contrast to other apocalyptic thrillers like the first two A Quiet Place(s) and the recent Mad Max features, where people of color were few and far between, 40 Acres gets very explicit about how the Freemans’ racial identities shape their experiences in the end times. Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 15 Sep. 2024 Most ominously, Christian nationalists are more likely than other Americans to think about politics in apocalyptic terms and are about twice as likely as other Americans to believe political violence may be justified in our current circumstances. Robert P. Jones, TIME, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apocalyptic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apocalyptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocalyptic was in 1633

Dictionary Entries Near apocalyptic

Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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