drastic
Americanadjective
-
extremely severe or extensive.
a drastic tax-reduction measure.
-
(of medicines) acting with force or violence.
a drastic laxative.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- drastically adverb
Etymology
Origin of drastic
First recorded in 1685–95; from Greek drastikós “active,” equivalent to drast(ós) (verbal adjective of drân “to do”) + -ikos adjective suffix ( -ic )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But I don’t know, it’s probably not unlike the drastic change that another kid at 18 would have going to college,” Rodrigo said in December 2021.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Some analysts remain skeptical that Meta and YouTube would make drastic changes to their products because they’ve weathered crises before.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026
As in ancient Athens, those most vocal about the need to protect children from corrupting influences insist that such drastic measures constitute a defense of rather than an attack on democratic values and social cohesion.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
Prosecutors fired back, saying a court filing that "even if the defendants' constitutional rights were violated -- which they were not -- dismissal of the indictment would be far too drastic a remedy."
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Preparation for the winter in New England is drastic.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
