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

Those changes triggered some relatively quick evolutionary impacts, such as fairly drastic differences in some aquatic reptiles’ skull shapes and sizes. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2025

While Congress may not pass his budget, most Republicans have not openly objected to DOGE's drastic changes to spending. —Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 2 May 2025

But the normal technology perspective possibly has convinced us that nothing drastic is needed and that otherwise conventional interventions will suffice. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

This dynamic synergy could also lead you to make a significant decision, perhaps even consider a drastic change in your personal life or appearance. —Staff Author, People.com, 1 May 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

Rhymes for drastic

• clastic
• mastic
• plastic
• spastic
• aeroelastic
• ecclesiastic
• elastoplastic
• enthusiastic
• iconoclastic
• interscholastic
• megaloblastic
• osteoblastic

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