1
: acting rapidly or violently
a drastic purgative
2
: extreme in effect or action : severe
drastic measures
made drastic changes
Examples of drastic in a Sentence
The situation calls for drastic measures.
Maybe we should try something less drastic first.
Recent Examples on the Web
How, then, did the fungi nestled in the gut cause such drastic changes in the immune system located elsewhere—all the way down to the stem cells?
—
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Mostly, though, there is the drastic shift in Durst’s role within the documentary.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Getting back to that level next year will require drastic change (and a healthy dose of luck).
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The auto industry is undergoing drastic change, and layoffs are constant threat.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
But powerful solar rays and drastic changes in lighting pose unique challenges in catching that perfect image.
—Kelvin Chan, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Analysts and industry officials say the airline will have to make drastic changes, including cutting flights and exiting some markets to become profitable, which is still not likely to happen this year.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Both types are usually linked to a quick increase in activity or drastic change in it.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 Apr. 2024
The risk of drastic change appears to be much higher on the American side.
—Motoko Rich, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
Maggie Chen, WIRED, 19 Apr. 2024
Mostly, though, there is the drastic shift in Durst’s role within the documentary.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2024
Getting back to that level next year will require drastic change (and a healthy dose of luck).
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The auto industry is undergoing drastic change, and layoffs are constant threat.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
But powerful solar rays and drastic changes in lighting pose unique challenges in catching that perfect image.
—Kelvin Chan, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Analysts and industry officials say the airline will have to make drastic changes, including cutting flights and exiting some markets to become profitable, which is still not likely to happen this year.
—Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Both types are usually linked to a quick increase in activity or drastic change in it.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 Apr. 2024
The risk of drastic change appears to be much higher on the American side.
—Motoko Rich, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near drastic
Cite this Entry
“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
drastic
1 of 2 adjective
dras·tic
ˈdras-tik 
: acting rapidly or violently
—used chiefly of purgatives
drastic
2 of 2 noun
: a powerful medicinal agent
especially
: a strong purgative
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