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.
Prominent Democrats and Republicans have described the midterm elections in near-apocalyptic terms. — James Speyer, New York Daily News, 30 Oct. 2026 An ominous darkness raced across the sky, while rusty-red hues illuminated the clouds, creating an almost apocalyptic scene. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Oct. 2026 The sense of freedom from reading post-apocalyptic fiction aside (on the table, open for debate), writing it certainly has been a breath of fresh air. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026 With apocalyptic floods, wildfires and other events becoming more common, that force is growing and transforming devastation and heartache into action. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 28 Oct. 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 Nov. 2026.

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