apocalyptic

Also a·poc·a·lyp·ti·cal

[uh-pok-uh-lip-tik]

adjective

1. of or like an apocalypse; affording a revelation or prophecy.

2. pertaining to the Apocalypse or biblical book of Revelation.

3. predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total or universal destruction.

   the apocalyptic vision of some contemporary writers.

Other Word Forms

• apocalyptically adverb
• postapocalyptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocalyptic¹

1620–30; < Late Greek apokalýptikos, equivalent to apokalýpt ( ein ) to uncover, disclose ( apocalypse ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

And awareness of that apocalyptic possibility emerged almost immediately.

From Salon

The tone of nonfiction conjectures about the future of Los Angeles generally fall into two categories, elegiac or apocalyptic — and sometimes both: “utopia or dystopia,” in the words of Davis.

From Los Angeles Times

The once spectacular coastline had seemingly morphed overnight — an apocalyptic transformation, decades in the making, seen with stark clarity now that orange caution tape and makeshift traffic lights mark what’s left of the shore.

From Los Angeles Times

Filmmakers seem to take a special pleasure in depicting an apocalyptic future for Los Angeles — how come?

From Los Angeles Times

One employee who had been working on the site described "an apocalyptic scene" as the fire broke out.

From BBC

Related Words

• ominous 
• prophetic