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

The story would reach its cathartic crescendo at her high school prom, where a horrifically cruel prank involving a bucket of pig’s blood turns what should have been the best night of her young life into an apocalyptic bloodbath. — Chris Nashawaty, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026

The show is set over 200 years after the life of Avatar Korra, with the world having been devastated by an apocalyptic event dubbed The Cataclysm that Korra is blamed for causing. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026

The final book, Revelation to John, presents an apocalyptic vision of the ultimate triumph of God over evil. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Nov. 2026

Advertisement Musk and Artificial carry even more apocalyptic overtones. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 Nov. 2026

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