apocalyptic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants also apocalyptical
Definition of apocalypticnext
as in climactic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point the apocalyptic Battle of Stalingrad, which led to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of apocalyptic For all the apocalyptic overtones in the film, Gibney doesn’t want audiences to come away feeling hopeless. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 TikTok filled with videos of grim stores nearing closure that looked more apocalyptic than luxurious. — Rachel Felder, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2026 He can next be seen in the post-apocalyptic werewolf thriller Dead Howling. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 Molly Kinder saw the apocalyptic warnings about artificial intelligence while walking home from dropping her children off at elementary school. — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic
  1. climactic
  2. critical
  3. pivotal
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. high
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • That was our climactic sort of reveal at the very end of that one.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of climactic
Adjective
  • This is becoming increasingly critical as water scarcity puts growing pressure on communities and infrastructure, including in traditionally water-secure regions.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The company says the system is critical to successful missile operations during flight.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • An average of four recent polls puts the two camps at roughly 50 and 53 seats, respectively, leaving Arab parties and smaller factions potentially pivotal.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Cities have turned into battlefields as top EU economies, including France, Italy and Spain, approach pivotal elections, while far-right parties have made electoral gains in Germany and could do so elsewhere.
    — TERESA MEDRANO, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Despite Paolo Banchero’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Hawks, the Magic had 20 turnovers and shot 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the decisive fourth quarter.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
  • For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale.
    — Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021
Definition of climacteric
Adjective
  • The View From Midland Despite the year’s geopolitical turmoil, there’s a newfound sense of economic stability in Midland that, for the first time in the city’s history, doesn’t seem to depend on sustained high oil prices.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Another was that lower government spending for public health programs was leading to higher costs for private sector plans.
    — Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of high
Adjective
  • The watershed council commissioned a study, published in 2017 by Grand Valley State University, to evaluate the economic impact of the Huron River.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The paper, which has since been cited more than 250,000 times, was a watershed moment in AI.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses
apocalyptic
apocryphal
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Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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