APOCALYPTIC Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

apocalyptic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

variants also apocalyptical

Definition of apocalyptic

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 Ahead of Loki, Hiddleston made a point to brush up on the classical language of ancient Rome so that Loki could futilely warn the Pompeians of the impending apocalyptic event. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 The Last of Us may be the biggest title in post-apocalyptic prestige drama, but Amazon Prime’s Fallout has deservedly made a name for itself in the streaming landscape as well. — Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Pedro Pascal has carried galaxies and post-apocalyptic wastelands on his back. — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026 Time, once again, factors heavily in this profound story about an apocalyptic Dust Bowl that threatens to wipe out the human species. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic

Adjective

Don’t miss Raja, a heart-pumping tube slide with a 37-foot drop as its climactic finish.

— Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2026
Part 1 is expected to culminate with the abduction itself, leaving the rescue campaign and the climactic battle for Part 2.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of climactic

Adjective

The consensus is that for critical business functions, success depends on rigorously validated, specialized AI tailored to specific workflows, rather than broad, general-purpose solutions.

— TerDawn DeBoe, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Instead, most Republicans stood firm in a critical hearing with an administration waging a hugely unpopular war, while Democrats highlighted the gap between its premature victory laps and the current stalemate.

— Arpita Dasika, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

The Emerging Native Arts Grant is awarded twice a year and provides direct funding, mentorship, and visibility to Native and Indigenous artists at a pivotal stage in their careers.

— News Desk, Artforum, 31 July 2026
Trump’s endorsement proved pivotal for Masterson, securing his status as the presumptive front-runner in the primary race.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of pivotal

Adjective

Higher humidity, cooler temperatures and some drizzle raised hopes that Thursday could be a decisive step on the way to vanquishing the fire.

— CBS News, CBS News, 30 July 2026
The quick, decisive defeat marked Rome’s final domination of the peninsula and solidified their influence over regional trade and military routes.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Definition of decisive

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

Definition of climacteric

Adjective

The Big Bend Sector has not experienced the high number of border crossings seen in recent years in other areas farther south along the Rio Grande or in Arizona or California, owing to the remote and challenging terrain on both sides of the border.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
The global luxury resale and collateral market has expanded rapidly as younger high-net-worth individuals and fashion collectors treat assets like investments.

— Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

The watershed department, days after the June 27 incident, said the chemical spill at the South River facility did not cause the fish kill.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
At Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, government officials described the agreement as a watershed moment for bilateral trade.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 15 July 2026

Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses

apocalyptic

apocryphal

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of apocalyptic

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on apocalyptic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes