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 of apocalyptic

• climactic
• critical
• highest
• pivotal
• decisive
• climacteric
• high
• watershed

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

The story is a post-apocalyptic tale in which a convict, played by Fischbach, sails an ocean of blood in a submarine in order to search for resources and discovers increasingly terrifying secrets. —William Earl, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026

Based on the breakout indie horror game of the same name by David Szymanski, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic future following ‘The Quiet Rapture’, an event that causes stars and habitable planets to vanish. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2026

Viewers catch glimpses of a harsh post-apocalyptic landscape and new survivors as Xavier navigates the dangers of the world above. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026

Episode 7 of the series, The Day, is probably the single best rendition of an apocalyptic event unfolding in real time and the panic that ensues. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

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

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apocalyptic

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