drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdra-stik 

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

He is expected to make several drastic changes to President 's policies on Day One of his administration. —Theo Burman, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

Six hundred aid trucks will enter Gaza daily—a drastic acceleration. —Ruth Margalit, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025

Still amid reports from AS - citing anonymous sources - that Ancelotti won't be fired for now to avoid making drastic mid-season changes, he was summoned to a meeting by the club's CEO. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

After the pharmacy store chain opted to lock up a significant amount of products on shelves, CEO Tim Wentworth is acknowledging this led to a drastic drop in sales. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 15 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

drastic

adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

1

: acting rapidly or violently

2

: severe in effect : harsh

had to take drastic measures

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

drastic

1 of 2 adjective

dras·​tic ˈdras-tik 

: acting rapidly or violently

—used chiefly of purgatives

drastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

drastic

2 of 2 noun

: a powerful medicinal agent

especially : a strong purgative