apocalypticism

noun apoc·a·lyp·ti·cism \ -tə-ˌsi-zəm \

variants: or apocalyptism play \ə-ˈpä-kə-ˌlip-ˌti-zəm\

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of apocalypticism

: apocalyptic expectation; especially : a doctrine concerning an imminent end of the world and an ensuing general resurrection and final judgment

Recent Examples of apocalypticism from the Web

His annotations crackled with apocalypticism, offering readers a precise understanding of when the world would end and what would happen beforehand.

— liya rechtman, BostonGlobe.com, "When the apocalypse is a feature, not a bug," 12 May 2018
Walker terrified readers by unfolding this premise a step further, from passive apocalypticism to active holy war: if slavery defied God’s law, so did obedient slaves.

— kenyon gradert, Smithsonian, "The Book That Spooked the South," 8 Feb. 2018
Amid the threats, apocalypticism and ugly passions of the 2016 election, its bloodless cynicism and petty stakes are almost reassuring, like President Bartlet’s idealism was after the Clinton impeachment.

— james poniewozik, New York Times, "‘Veep’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ Echo Our Politics, as Farce and Tragedy," 21 Apr. 2016
Note that Žižek is not employing the concept of apocalypticism pejoratively.

— bruce sterling, WIRED, "Four Modes of Gothic dissimulation and a will-to-ignorance," 4 Jan. 2010
Its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, combined Mr. Zarqawi’s views with an apocalypticism taking hold amid the region’s upheaval.

— max fisher, New York Times, "Straightforward Answers to Basic Questions About Syria’s War," 18 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apocalypticism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.