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

• climactic
• pivotal
• decisive
• climacteric
• highest
• crucial

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

In his latest skirmish, with U.S. President Donald Trump, Medvedev boasted about Russia’s apocalyptic nuclear attack system, in a tirade that infuriated the American leader. —Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

But for nearly three decades, the show has maintained a consistent posture of apocalyptic cynicism. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025

This seems like a significant fact that is oddly missing from almost every news story about the apocalyptic tragedies unfolding daily in the 02138 zip code. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025

Today, apocalyptic narratives, from Hulu’s Paradise to Leave the World Behind on Netflix and James Cameron’s upcoming adaptation of the atomic bomb exposé Ghosts of Hiroshima, are increasingly shaping real-world demand. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 July 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

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apocalyptic

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