eschatological

American  

[es-kuh-tl-oj-i-kuhl, e-skat-l-] / ˌɛs kə tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl, ɛˌskæt l- /

adjective

1. Theology. having to do with eschatology, a system of doctrines concerning final matters, such as death, the Judgment, the afterlife, etc..

   This scenario stems from a perception of the world as morally imperfect, and a desire for its eschatological redemption.

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Other Word Forms

• eschatologically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of eschatological

eschatolog(y) + -ical ( def. )

Explanation

Prophets, philosophers and theologians are all deeply concerned with eschatological issues, that is to say issues that are to do with divine judgement, the ultimate fate of mankind and the destiny of the soul. Eschatological content is heavy stuff, and fortunately not the sort of word that comes up often in casual conversation. Don't confuse eschatological with scatological, which sounds very similar but has a totally different meaning. To be scatological means to be unhealthily obsessed with excrement, or at the very least overly fond of bathroom humor. Keep your death jokes and poop jokes separate, please.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

eschatological

Mr. Putin and his immediate circle began to express, Ms. de Graaf says, “a more eschatological, a more apocalyptic and violent vision.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

For Wagner, this sort of eschatological outlook “fits Dominion Theology like a glove.”

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2024

At times, I was troubled by the utopianism running through this work, a preference for monks and eschatological dreamers over people who make an actual difference.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 10, 2023

Whorisky and her designers have played up these eschatological hints with bold surrealistic touches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2022

Some people found it too ascetic, to others it was purely eschatological; in either case it could not be adapted to our own time.

From The Influence of the Bible on Civilisation by Dobschutz, Ernst Von