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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.


Other Word Forms


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.

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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.

See Examples For:

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

Another reason is eschatological, meaning the study of “last things” or the “end of the world.”

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2023

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 23, 2022

All these eschatological fantasies have a long and tortuous history, from the crazy Russian cosmists to Wernher von Braun and his crew, who built the U.S. space program.

From Slate ● Nov. 6, 2022

In contrast, the celestial stone belongs with the eschatological concepts and the celestial tincture is the apokatastasis.

From Hidden Symbolism of Alchemy and the Occult Arts by Smith Ely Jelliffe

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