apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·​a·​lyp·​tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants or less commonly apocalyptical
ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-kəl How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
Synonyms of apocalyptic
1
: of, relating to, or resembling an apocalypse
apocalyptic events
2
: forecasting the ultimate destiny of the world : prophetic
apocalyptic warnings
3
: foreboding imminent disaster or final doom : terrible
apocalyptic signs of the coming end-times
4
: wildly unrestrained : grandiose
5
: ultimately decisive : climactic
an apocalyptic battle
apocalyptically
ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of apocalyptic

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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
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.
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

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

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apocalyptic was in 1625

Rhymes for apocalyptic

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Browse Nearby Words

apocalypse
apocalyptic
apocalypticism
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Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apocalyptic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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