apocalyptic
adjective
apoc·a·lyp·tic
ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik 
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
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
But after its closure, the mall, which opened in 1974, now resembles what some are describing as a post-apocalyptic ruin.
—
Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The Dog Stars in theaters, August 28 Ridley Scott takes on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel, in which survivors of a flu pandemic (Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin) mourn the past, fight for their scant existence, and—when an unexpected radio transmission comes through—seek a better one.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
But some believe a traveling, apocalyptic preacher convinced her that killing Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary was the only way to save them from eternal damnation.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
In the follow-up, the central family must leave their Greenland bunker in search of a new home in post-apocalyptic Europe.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Victoria Le, Oc Register, 14 Jan. 2026
The Dog Stars in theaters, August 28 Ridley Scott takes on Peter Heller’s post-apocalyptic novel, in which survivors of a flu pandemic (Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin) mourn the past, fight for their scant existence, and—when an unexpected radio transmission comes through—seek a better one.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
But some believe a traveling, apocalyptic preacher convinced her that killing Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary was the only way to save them from eternal damnation.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
In the follow-up, the central family must leave their Greenland bunker in search of a new home in post-apocalyptic Europe.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Cite this Entry
“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
