apocalyptic
Americanadjective
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of or like an apocalypse; affording a revelation or prophecy.
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pertaining to the Apocalypse or biblical book of Revelation.
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predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total or universal destruction.
the apocalyptic vision of some contemporary writers.
adjective
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outstanding in revelation, prophecy, or significance
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of or like an apocalypse
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apocalyptic
1620–30; < Late Greek apokalýptikos, equivalent to apokalýpt ( ein ) to uncover, disclose ( see apocalypse) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
The lyrics of a popular song from the 1980’s by the band REM go, “It’s the end of the world as we know it.” This song’s tune may be catchy but the sentiment is rather apocalyptic — since it refers to the final destruction of the world. The base word of apocalyptic, apocalypse, means "ultimate doom." This scenario is most famously described in the Bible’s Book of Revelation, but the concept is used in reference to many extreme catastrophes. For example, the devastating conditions left behind after a hurricane or tornado has hit an area can be said to be apocalyptic. Often, this adjective is used for exaggeration, so you could also use apocalyptic to describe the bad haircut you just got.
Vocabulary lists containing apocalyptic
This Week in Words: December 2 - 8, 2017
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This Week in Words: September 10 - 16, 2017
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The Book Thief
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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.
Dramatic videos of members of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in Ontario fleeing their homes by boat have flooded the internet because the images are truly apocalyptic.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
In 2020, Burning Man—“a fertile, apocalyptic, hippie, neo-pagan freak fest,” as one news clip tells us—was canceled outright due to Covid-19.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
"The amount of pollution that we produce is apocalyptic during this one particular day," Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of IQAir's North American division, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
The scene around more than 100 flattened buildings is apocalyptic.
From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026
For some reason, I was the only one who received these apocalyptic phone calls from him.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
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.
