apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·a·lyp·tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

variants or less commonly apocalyptical

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-kəl

Synonyms of apocalyptic next

: of, relating to, or resembling an apocalypse

apocalyptic events

: forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world : prophetic

apocalyptic warnings

: foreboding imminent disaster or final doom : terrible

apocalyptic signs of the coming end-times

: wildly unrestrained : grandiose

: ultimately decisive : climactic

an apocalyptic battle

apocalyptically

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Examples of apocalyptic in a Sentence

No one listened to her apocalyptic predictions. a less apocalyptic view of the future the apocalyptic destruction of the world

Recent Examples on the Web The creator of Black Mirror even admitted that an episode in which killer robot dogs chase a band of survivors across an apocalyptic wasteland was directly inspired by Boston Dynamics’ videos. —

Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 1 May 2024 This project navigates the intricate relationship between humans and nature amidst climate change, opting for a hopeful narrative over apocalyptic predictions. —

Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apocalyptic

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apocalyptic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin apocalypticus, derivative of apocalypsis apocalypse, by analogy with pairs such as ellīpsis ellipsis : ellīpticus elliptic

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of apocalyptic was in 1633

See more words from the same year