apocalyptic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants also apocalyptical
Definition of apocalypticnext
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

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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 Her Maggie and Morgan’s Negan aren’t simply two survivors adrift in the Walking Dead’s post-apocalyptic hellscape, trying to scrape a meager existence together. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026 The song comes with futuristic visuals replete with spaceship control panels, hazmat suits, and apocalyptic collapse. — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Post-apocalyptic Stuart is charged with setting things right, but the instructions are garbled (a bad cross-universe connection) and OG Stuart disappears. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 The years that directly succeeded the COVID pandemic were marked by a dire, almost apocalyptic view on the future of cinemagoing. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic
  1. climactic
  2. critical
  3. pivotal
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. high
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • This is the climactic phase of the eclipse, when the moon acts like a natural coronagraph to block the brilliance of the sun's disk, ushering in a false night in which our star's outer atmosphere can be seen leaping out from the lunar silhouette.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of climactic
Adjective
  • With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, du Plessis views this as a critical, yet temporary, opportunity to transform cricket into a mainstream American sport, stressing that success demands proactive vision.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • As in the maritime domain, AI governance is becoming the new frontier of a Cold War-style contest between China and the US, which both sides see as critical to their national security and prosperity.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The high state of prices at retail and for necessities remains one of the most pivotal factors impacting consumers’ views of the economy, the U-M study showed.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Morton more recently portrayed Circe in Christopher Nolan‘s epic, The Odyssey — a goddess with the ability to turn people into animals, appearing in a pivotal moment in the story of protagonist Odysseus’ tumultuous journey home after the Trojan War.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Crowley's mention of the Evers endorsement drew a round of applause at both of his campaign stops in New Glarus and Madison this week, but similar votes of confidence haven't always been decisive in other primaries.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Crowley’s mention of the Evers endorsement drew a round of applause at both of his campaign stops in New Glarus and Madison this week, but similar votes of confidence haven’t always been decisive in other primaries.
    — Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 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 report notes the area is known by detectives to be a high crime area with multiple stray dogs and wandering drug users.
    — Rafael Escalera Montoto, Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The 2026 World Cup can be a catalyst to boost it to an even higher orbit.
    — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of high
Adjective
  • The unanimous ruling was seen by supporters of self-identification as a watershed moment, pushing India ahead of much of South Asia on transgender rights.
    — Aakash Hassan, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses
apocalyptic
apocryphal
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Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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