variants
also apocalyptical
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of apocalyptic
Which owner will spend more in an arms race that threatens to wipe out the 2027 season in what would feel like an apocalyptic big-league event?
—
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The radical theologian Thomas Müntzer predicted an apocalyptic social leveling, ultimately producing a kind of egalitarian utopia.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The 16th and 17th century wars of religion saw reformers like Martin Luther painting the Roman Catholic Church in apocalyptic terms resulting in much bloodshed and likely persuading the Founding Fathers to include the disestablishment clause in the Constitution.
—Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The first season’s view of the deprivations of reality TV captured the apocalyptic feeling of Hollywood in the early aughts, the sense that reality, cheaper to film than a standard network show, would mean the end of jobs.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
The radical theologian Thomas Müntzer predicted an apocalyptic social leveling, ultimately producing a kind of egalitarian utopia.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
The 16th and 17th century wars of religion saw reformers like Martin Luther painting the Roman Catholic Church in apocalyptic terms resulting in much bloodshed and likely persuading the Founding Fathers to include the disestablishment clause in the Constitution.
—Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
The first season’s view of the deprivations of reality TV captured the apocalyptic feeling of Hollywood in the early aughts, the sense that reality, cheaper to film than a standard network show, would mean the end of jobs.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic
Adjective
-
The emotional combustion of his climactic scenes with Willy fail to reach cathartic levels.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Before the huge climactic shoot-out — there’s always a huge climactic shoot-out — someone casually goes through a location and places all sorts of extra guns throughout the space, hiding them in refrigerators and under pool tables and whatnot.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage are approaching a critical deadline that could have long-lasting financial consequences.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Martinez said mental health care is pivotal to reaching the people who need it most.—
Zach Boetto,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In these past four weeks, our armed forces have delivered swift, decisive, overwhelming victories on the battlefield victories like few people have ever seen before.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
European luxury is entering a high-stakes first-quarter reporting period as sentiment has taken a decisive hit, just as many of the sector's big names were nearing a turning point after years of declining sales.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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
Adjective
-
An assembly of planets moves through your ninth house, putting travel, expansion, and higher purpose at the center of your month.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Strus went on to enter halftime with a game-high 22 points.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The boxing world, in general, is also kind of identifying this as a watershed moment, in many ways.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The early 1990s were a watershed moment for female health.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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