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

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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 Scott’s The Dog Stars is post-apocalyptic science fiction film about survivors of a deadly pandemic and is based on the 2012 novel. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Indeed, the private markets (and especially PE) are quite adept at kicking the can down the road, so this all may never reach an apocalyptic fever pitch. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 Perhaps most viscerally, given the ever-present specter of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War, Capps was appalled by Falwell’s apocalyptic rhetoric and cavalier posture toward global destruction. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 Thousands of Gary's residents have since been left without power for weeks, in which some likened the situation to something apocalyptic. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic

Adjective

In the episode's climactic bridge showdown, the tone shifts to another '90s classic, as Jim Kirk goads Reeger into a confession about the Constitution scandal.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Don’t worry, though, all these moral contradictions will be pointed out to Miguel during a lengthy, turgid, climactic argument with Sofia that goes nowhere because nobody says anything interesting.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of climactic

Adjective

And although there were some critical mistakes from Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway, the new Baylor QB made big-time throws, showed grit while playing through injury and had the Bears in position to win in the final moments.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
GlobalFoundries and Monarch Quantum will give the company domestic manufacturing partners for two critical parts of its systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

While the 23-year-old Thompson is a pivotal player for the Rockets, he was not selected to either an All-Star or All-NBA team last season.

— Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
At a pivotal moment in the film, Ledger’s Joker positions a pencil on a table, and later slams a man’s head into it.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of pivotal

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 data set shows the Hong Kong chief executive is the second-highest earner globally with $719,000 annually, followed by the Swiss president at $606,000.

— Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
Summer is finally nearing its end, though the high temperatures linger, making any thought of hot chocolate and curling up in blankets on the couch dangerous.

— Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

These will show whether the vote was a watershed moment in the demise of an anti-fascist consensus dating back to World War II, or the latest in a series of elections worldwide in which frustrated voters simply cast out incumbents.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Regulators and online safety advocates called it a watershed moment, and both Meta and state attorneys general called on TikTok and YouTube to make similar changes.

— Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses

apocalyptic

apocryphal

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“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of apocalyptic

adjective

Example Sentences

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