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
This project navigates the intricate relationship between humans and nature amidst climate change, opting for a hopeful narrative over apocalyptic predictions.
—
Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
While the emergence of trillions of bugs from the ground may seem apocalyptic, cicadas pose no threat to humans or other animals.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
Daybell has written several apocalyptic novels based loosely on Mormon theology.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2024
Humans have been making apocalyptic predictions since the dawn of civilization.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Missing even the play-in round would be an apocalyptic event for a team with the largest payroll in league history.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
As the fiery mango of the subtropical setting sun makes Miami’s condo skyline even more apocalyptic, the ship shoves off beneath a perfunctory display of fireworks.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The orchestra delivered it with almost apocalyptic intensity, as if mounting a wordless protest.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
But this focus on apocalyptic events also robs most of us of our agency.
—Ethan Mollick, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024
While the emergence of trillions of bugs from the ground may seem apocalyptic, cicadas pose no threat to humans or other animals.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2024
Daybell has written several apocalyptic novels based loosely on Mormon theology.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 3 Apr. 2024
Humans have been making apocalyptic predictions since the dawn of civilization.
—Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024
Missing even the play-in round would be an apocalyptic event for a team with the largest payroll in league history.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
As the fiery mango of the subtropical setting sun makes Miami’s condo skyline even more apocalyptic, the ship shoves off beneath a perfunctory display of fireworks.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The orchestra delivered it with almost apocalyptic intensity, as if mounting a wordless protest.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
But this focus on apocalyptic events also robs most of us of our agency.
—Ethan Mollick, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apocalyptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near apocalyptic
Cite this Entry
“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share