apocalyptic

adjective

apoc·​a·​lyp·​tic ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik 

variants or less commonly apocalyptical

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-ti-kəl 

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 

adverb

Synonyms

• climacteric
• climactic

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

Most ominously, Christian nationalists are more likely than other Americans to think about politics in apocalyptic terms and are about twice as likely as other Americans to believe political violence may be justified in our current circumstances. —Robert P. Jones, TIME, 10 Sep. 2024

In a rural area of an apocalyptic Brazil, roadkill collector Edgar is planning an escape with his girlfriend Nete, but his nights are haunted by violent dreams and sleepwalking. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2024

Set outdoors right next to the Auteuil Racecourse, at the very outskirts of Paris, the weather was tense and the elements created a fantastic backdrop that echoed some apocalyptic landscape and climate change. —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024

Garland and Macdonald also spoke about the upcoming trilogy of films following on from apocalyptic thrillers 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Aug. 2024

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

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1