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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
While growing up in Chicago, Gallego's middle class life took a drastic and unexpected downturn when his father, who had a fairly successful contracting business, abandoned the family for a life of drug dealing.
—Diane Herbst, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024
Others, including President-elect Donald Trump, have called for more drastic measures.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024
However, things take a drastic turn for the worse when they get invited into the home of Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant) with the promise of blueberry pie and potential religious conversion.
—Rudie Obias, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
Big career transformations don’t always require bold moves or drastic changes.
—Q Hamirani, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin drāsticus, borrowed from Greek drāstikós "active, energetic, (of medication) acting rapidly," from drāst-, stem of drā́stēs "doer, performer" (from drā-, variant stem of dráō, drân "to do, perform" + -tēs, agentive suffix, with analogical -s-) + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at drama
First Known Use
circa 1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near drastic
Cite this Entry
“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on drastic
Nglish: Translation of drastic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of drastic for Arabic Speakers
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