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

Other game developers, like Massive Monster, were more drastic, which, via the official account for its game Cult of the Lamb, threatened to delist the game entirely. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 14 Sep. 2023

Without drastic changes, what’s left of Alabama’s season will be picked clean before October. —Joseph Goodman | [e-mail], al, 9 Sep. 2023

Udoka was popular among Celtics players, some of whom still are confused why management took such drastic action. —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2023

This slight reduction will allow your body to adjust without experiencing drastic changes. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2023

Still, for those not keen to spend up to $200,000 on a facelift, there are less drastic alternatives. —Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 30 Aug. 2023

And as consumers have experienced less drastic price jumps, their expectations for future inflation have come down. —Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023

Once embedded in the facility, the participants quickly realize that the conditions are too much to bear, forcing Sheriff Dance to take drastic measures to save the program. —Josie Howell | [e-mail], al, 31 Aug. 2023

While the changes aren't drastic—this is a mid-cycle refresh, not an entirely new design—the improvement in the styling is noticeable. —Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Greek drastikos, from dran to do

First Known Use

circa 1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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