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

Over the next 30 years or so, the changes to American life might be short of apocalyptic. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025

Seehorn plays Carol Sturka, a misanthropic romance author whose latest book tour concludes with an apocalyptic event that fully transforms her world and the world at large in the span of one evening. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025

The Pluribus creator, whose new show premiered the first two episodes Friday on Apple TV+, made sure to note in the credits of the post-apocalyptic sci-fi series that the production did not rely on AI. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025

Today’s young people aren’t motivated by apocalyptic warnings, they’re energized by the expanding toolbox of climate solutions and the opportunity to play an active role in shaping a brighter future. —Alexis Abramson, Fortune, 6 Nov. 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

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for apocalyptic

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