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 The apocalyptic horror comedy Zombieland (2009) was a box office hit. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 July 2026 So that’s writing and production What about actually somehow getting a modern political thriller romance and a post-apocalyptic action show to work together and feel (somehow) like a cohesive season of television? — Alex Zalben, IndieWire, 2 July 2026 There are apocalyptic scenarios, and there are apocalyptic scenarios. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 1 July 2026 Fragments of email correspondence appear alongside bits of dialogue, histories of apocalyptic movements in Korea, and poems about the nature of time and the Bardo (the Tibetan Buddhist concept for the transitional period between death and rebirth). — Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 30 June 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
  • Eight years later, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon — a remarkable achievement that was the climactic moment of the Cold War space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 4 July 2026
  • Courtesy of Netflix ©2026 Henry Cavill reprises his role as Sherlock for about six total minutes of screentime (including his very clearly CGI-ed presence at Enola’s climactic wedding).
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of climactic
Adjective
  • Tensions are flaring over the critical Strait of Hormuz, pushing the two sides back towards all-out war.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The most critical one came in the 21st minute with France’s Lucas Digne committed a foul on Yamal in the box.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The show places David in pivotal moments in history, from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the trenches of World War I to the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 July 2026
  • The moments everyone remembers For many, the Centennial Olympic Games arrived at a pivotal time in life.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • However, Korotaev leans on the side of doubting any decisive impact from Fedorov.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026
  • The 6-foot-4, 211-pound Mestemaker was a fearless, decisive thrower last year in North Texas’ Air Raid system.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 15 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
  • Wall Street looked past geopolitics even as oil prices climbed on the back of lower-than-expected inflation figures that sent tech stocks higher.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 15 July 2026
  • The new findings showed that symptom-free older adults who harbored very high levels of p-tau217 had a 38% risk of developing cognitive impairment over five years.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
Definition of high
Adjective
  • 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
  • Two players acquired during the watershed opening day of free agency have little name recognition.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 5 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of apocalyptic for Spanish Speakers

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