drastically

adverb

dras·​ti·​cal·​ly ˈdra-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce drastically (audio)
: in a drastic manner : severely or seriously
The industry has changed drastically over the last 30 years.
This … car will allow you to drastically reduce the amount of time (and money) spent pumping gas …—Jim Motavelli
Some of those plants … are native species present before humans drastically altered the land.—Peter Del Tredici

Examples of drastically in a Sentence

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.
All this is at stake when fundamental science budgets are being drastically cut. — Mattanjah De Vries, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Rat eradication campaigns followed around the world, drastically slowing the spread of plague, Wagner says. — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026 The iPod shuffle also got a revamp, changing its look drastically from the previous year's design. — Eric Griffith, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026 Josie and Her Mom Waititi’s film also changes a key element of the novel’s plot, drastically lowering the stakes. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for drastically

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of drastically was in 1850

Rhymes for drastically

See All Rhymes for drastically

Browse Nearby Words

drastic
drastically
drat
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Cite this Entry

“Drastically.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastically. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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