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
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.
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, 18 Oct. 2025 Look no further than Reeves’s performance as the Dream, a cult leader who oversees the only semblance of civilization in this post-apocalyptic world. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2025 Instead, the war that resulted transformed the archipelago into a post-apocalyptic wasteland of famine, disease, ecological disaster, and hundreds of thousands dead. Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 His pre-teen son in tow, Luis joins up with a crusty group of dancers who are heading to a secret party in the heart of the desert, where the beats will be loud enough to drown out the sounds of the apocalyptic war that’s brewing around them. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on apocalyptic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!