variants
also apocalyptical
as in climactic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point
the apocalyptic Battle of Stalingrad, which led to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of apocalyptic
The post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama reunites Gilligan with Rhea Seehorn and centers on novelist Carol Sturka, who finds herself alone after an alien virus transforms humanity into a peaceful hive mind determined to assimilate the remaining few who are immune.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
The monumental cast-in-place concrete central core, dubbed the Great Court, was a bleak windswept post-apocalyptic landscape most of the year.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The sky’s surreal red hues were reminiscent of apocalyptic scenes over Crete where the storm that hit the island with gale-force winds combined with a Saharan dust storm.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Miller, the 81-year-old Australian filmmaker best known for Happy Feet and his post-apocalyptic action franchise Mad Max, will work on the project as a creative producer.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
The monumental cast-in-place concrete central core, dubbed the Great Court, was a bleak windswept post-apocalyptic landscape most of the year.
—Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
The sky’s surreal red hues were reminiscent of apocalyptic scenes over Crete where the storm that hit the island with gale-force winds combined with a Saharan dust storm.
—ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Miller, the 81-year-old Australian filmmaker best known for Happy Feet and his post-apocalyptic action franchise Mad Max, will work on the project as a creative producer.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic
Adjective
-
So what is preventing this big climactic battle from happening now?—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
-
During the film’s climactic fight sequence — shot over five punishing days — MacPherson tore his adductor muscle off the bone, fractured his pelvis, and broke his nose.—
Sean Sennett,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lebanon's top political authorities, critical of Hezbollah's decision to fire rockets towards Israel on March 2 in solidarity with Iran, quickly proposed direct talks in a bid to stop the escalation, hoping that Israel would not launch its ground invasion.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Gulf is building the entire cake, and the region’s governments will not abandon their most critical layers simply because the geopolitical temperature has risen.—
Winston Ma,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As previously announced, Michelle Mao will play Yara and Kyriana Kratter will play Lev, siblings whose paths cross with Abby at a pivotal moment, as Ellie begins her revenge rampage in Seattle.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Launching the booster, which provides the initial burst of thrust at liftoff, for a second time would be a pivotal step toward allowing New Glenn to launch more frequently.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wyatt Johnston scored the decisive shootout goal and the Dallas Stars posted their third consecutive 50-win season with a 4-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night in the regular-season finale for both teams.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Deni Avdija countered with a close-range finish, and after Jordan Goodwin’s reverse layup gave Phoenix the edge in the final 30 seconds, Avdija delivered the decisive blow.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
15 July 2025
-
For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale.—
Claire Messud,
Harper's Magazine,
22 June 2021
Adjective
-
Mayor Karen Bass said officers will also expand their presence in the area by placing LAPD vehicles in high-visibility locations and using license plate readers in high-risk burglary areas.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The relay from Adames was in time, but slightly high, and Devers dropped it, allowing a run to score.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Disney previously agreed to take a $1 billion stake in the startup and license 200 iconic characters to Sora in what some entertainment executives considered a watershed deal.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The boxing world, in general, is also kind of identifying this as a watershed moment, in many ways.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
