apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·​a·​lyp·​tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants or less commonly apocalyptical
Synonyms of apocalypticnext
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
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The first season’s view of the deprivations of reality TV captured the apocalyptic feeling of Hollywood in the early aughts, the sense that reality, cheaper to film than a standard network show, would mean the end of jobs. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 The stories in this collection range from a novella from her post-apocalyptic Sixth World series to a science fiction piece about a conflicted student attending university on a space station. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026 While society hopefully won’t encounter an apocalyptic scenario like the one depicted in Project Hail Mary, a team at Cornell University’s Carl Sagan Institute has compiled a list of planetary nominees worth a closer look. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026 The post-apocalyptic show has held a top spot on the streamer’s Top 15 Today list since its Season 2 launch with a three-episode drop February 23. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 17 Mar. 2026 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

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocalyptic was in 1625

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Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

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