drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdra-stik 

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

The former teen-pop idol underwent a drastic sonic makeover on his new album SWAG, reaching new heights with the guidance of indie masters Dijon and Mk.Gee—much like Justin Timberlake did with the Neptunes and Timbaland. —Dave Paulson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Amid the drastic expansion of the program, the overall enrollment and demographic breakdown of CMS during the 2024-25 school year remained virtually unchanged from the prior school year, according to state data. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025

The country star, who recently revealed a drastic 200-pound weight loss, was caught by surprise in a video posted by his wife, Bunnie XO, which showed her body-slamming him. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025

Michaels quit after season 15, concerned about one contestant’s drastic weight loss, and declined to participate in the documentary. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for drastic

• clastic
• mastic
• plastic
• spastic
• aeroelastic
• ecclesiastic
• elastoplastic
• enthusiastic
• iconoclastic
• interscholastic
• megaloblastic
• osteoblastic

Kids Definition

drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

1

: acting rapidly or violently

2

: severe in effect : harsh

had to take drastic measures

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

drastic

1 of 2 adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

: acting rapidly or violently

—used chiefly of purgatives

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

drastic

2 of 2 noun

: a powerful medicinal agent

especially : a strong purgative