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

The immersive versions are being designed to transport audiences into gothic horror, post-apocalyptic survival and futuristic rebellion settings. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025

There's a different take on a post apocalyptic universe where the world is made of plastic and not garbage. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025

Today our data may be unassailably empirical, but our emotions are very much apocalyptic. —Ed Simon september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025

The clips have been shared against the backdrop of a South African pastor's apocalyptic prophecy, predicting the Rapture on September 23 or 24 this year, garnering attention and following from all over the world. —Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 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