drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdra-stik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
1
: acting rapidly or violently
a drastic purgative
2
: extreme in effect or action : severe
drastic measures
made drastic changes

Examples of drastic in a Sentence

The situation calls for drastic measures. Maybe we should try something less drastic first.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So much so that, despite being in transition, City look competitive again after their drastic drop-off last season. Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025 Researchers found a drastic drop in evictions and fewer preterm births and neonatal intensive care unit admissions. Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025 What’s behind the drastic drop in expectations? Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025 Le Maire had overseen a drastic spike in the national deficit during the Covid-19 pandemic. Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for drastic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin drāsticus, borrowed from Greek drāstikós "active, energetic, (of medication) acting rapidly," from drāst-, stem of drā́stēs "doer, performer" (from drā-, variant stem of dráō, drân "to do, perform" + -tēs, agentive suffix, with analogical -s-) + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at drama

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of drastic was circa 1691

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Cite this Entry

“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

drastic

adjective
dras·​tic ˈdras-tik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
1
: acting rapidly or violently
2
: severe in effect : harsh
had to take drastic measures
drastically adverb

Medical Definition

drastic

1 of 2 adjective
dras·​tic ˈdras-tik How to pronounce drastic (audio)
: acting rapidly or violently
used chiefly of purgatives
drastically adverb

drastic

2 of 2 noun
: a powerful medicinal agent
especially : a strong purgative

More from Merriam-Webster on drastic

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