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

He can next be seen in the post-apocalyptic werewolf thriller Dead Howling. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

Molly Kinder saw the apocalyptic warnings about artificial intelligence while walking home from dropping her children off at elementary school. — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026

The one bit of apocalyptic grimness that does come through is the color scheme. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

Readers are whisked away to Jamaica and the Hebrides, the post-apocalyptic future and the medieval past, university lecture halls and modest sailboats. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 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