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

As part of drastic streamlining, Unilever cut a third of all office roles in Europe, around 3,200 jobs, and reviewed Unilever’s 200 top management roles. —Alex Wynne, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026

Karsh previously told the Pioneer Press that tenant complaints against Quadrel began last month, when renters from one of their residential properties, located at 929-935 Michigan Avenue, noticed drastic increases in rent after receiving their lease renewal notices. —Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

The drastic change of direction has some industry watchers scratching their heads. —Anne D’innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026

Barring anything drastic, Fernando Mendoza will put on a silver and black cap April 23 to overwhelming cheers from his friends and family inside his Miami home. —Sam Warren, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026

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