drastic

[dras-tik]

adjective

1. extremely severe or extensive.

   a drastic tax-reduction measure.

2. (of medicines) acting with force or violence.

   a drastic laxative.

drastic

/ ˈdræstɪk /

adjective

1. extreme or forceful; severe

Other Word Forms

• drastically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of drastic¹

First recorded in 1685–95; from Greek drastikós “active,” equivalent to drast(ós) (verbal adjective of drân “to do”) + -ikos adjective suffix ( -ic )

Word History and Origins

Origin of drastic¹

C17: from Greek drastikos, from dran to do, act

Example Sentences

Others — especially those unable to take the drastic steps Grasso has been able to — will deem the beauty of life in Topanga not worth the risk of getting trapped by flames.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Paris climate agreement signed in 2015 has the goal of limiting average global temperature rise to well below 2C and to strive for 1.5C to avert drastic climate change.

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This was an impressive performance and a drastic improvement from their 8-2 aggregate defeat by Barcelona in last season's semi-finals - but their lack of ruthlessness ultimately proved costly and denied them the victory they craved.

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It is a step that would not become mandatory in that part of Australia until 2010, but the change in policies led to a drastic drop in volunteers.

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Countries such as France, Finland and Estonia have detained ships, and they can do so where a crime is suspected, however such drastic controls remain a relatively rare event.

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Related Words

• dire 
• forceful 
• harsh 
• radical