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.
Some critics think apocalyptic language amounts to a sick form of marketing from A.I. insiders who want to tout their models’ power to investors.
From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026
News columns and cable programs featured lengthy discussions about how this happened and what to do about it, all presented against an apocalyptic backdrop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026
"I was a war baby so I can remember incendiary bombs dropping on me and we'd have to shelter under the stairs. So the Second World War to me was apocalyptic".
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Some researchers have responded that such apocalyptic statements about AI’s near-term impact on employment are grossly overstated and ignore the impact of new jobs that will be created.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
The scene was apocalyptic, but...it was a calm apocalypse.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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.
