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

Through the apocalyptic lens of 2025, a forty-five-year-old period piece seems reborn as a countercultural statement. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025

Delivering cargo across a sparse post-apocalyptic landscape, often on foot, was an unlikely premise for a blockbuster video game. —Will Ripley, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

Theroux is a new addition to Fallout, a show based on the popular post-apocalyptic video game franchise. —Alex Cramer, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

As apocalyptic scenarios go, this one ain't so bad. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 10 Dec. 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

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apocalyptic

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