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

This may leave countries to do more in terms of adaption to the changing climate whether or not the shift reaches the most apocalyptic forecasts of climate campaigners. —Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Oct. 2025

The name, borrowed from the post-apocalyptic movie series, immediately drew attention for its bold tone. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025

This isn’t to say writer and director Mary Bronstein’s film, about the agonizing deterioration of a woman whose life is falling down around her in near-apocalyptic fashion, isn’t worth watching. —Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller. —Simon Shuster, Time, 23 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