apocalypse
Americannoun
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a prophecy or revelation, especially regarding a final cataclysmic battle between good and evil.
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the apocalypse, in some belief systems, a final cataclysmic battle of this kind, in which evil is defeated and the present age brought to a close.
According to traditional evangelical teaching, the apocalypse will begin with a time of persecution.
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the apocalypse, the end of civilization; the complete destruction or collapse of the world as we know it (sometimes used facetiously).
On both ends of the political spectrum, visions of the apocalypse and predictions of doom abound.
We thought this recession might be the apocalypse, and sales would go down to 1 percent.
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any universal or widespread destruction or disaster.
If humanity is to avoid a nuclear apocalypse, a whole new level of international cooperation is urgently required.
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Apocalypse. Revelation.
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any piece of literature belonging to a genre of Jewish or Christian writings that appeared from about 200 b.c. to the late Middle Ages and were assumed to reveal God’s ultimate purpose.
noun
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a prophetic disclosure or revelation
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an event of great importance, violence, etc, like the events described in the Apocalypse
noun
Discover More
An “apocalypse” is a final catastrophe.
The Apocalypse is supposed to come at the end of the world or of time.
Etymology
Origin of apocalypse
First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, from Late Latin apocalypsis, from Greek apokálypsis “revelation,” from apokalýp(tein) “to uncover, reveal” (from apo- apo- + kalýptein “to cover, conceal”; eucalyptus ) + -sis -sis
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.
Italian football journalist James Horncastle said: "It was called apocalyptic the first time they missed out. I don't know what stage of the apocalypse we are in now."
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Not exactly the most uplifting news when it feels like the apocalypse is just outside our doors.
From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026
She added: “I promise if the apocalypse actually comes you can still beep me.”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
As global biodiversity declines, including what some researchers describe as an "insect apocalypse," two ecologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst set out to examine how insects and arachnids are doing in the United States.
From Science Daily • Mar. 14, 2026
“I tell you all,” he whispered, “the apocalypse is nearer than we think!”
From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
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.
