apocalyptic

[ uh-pok-uh-lip-tik ]

adjective

1. of or like an apocalypse; affording a revelation or prophecy.
2. pertaining to the Apocalypse or biblical book of Revelation.
3. predicting or presaging imminent disaster and total or universal destruction:

   the apocalyptic vision of some contemporary writers.

Other Words From

• a·poca·lypti·cal·ly adverb
• posta·poca·lyptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocalyptic¹

1620–30; < Late Greek apokalýptikos, equivalent to apokalýpt ( ein ) to uncover, disclose ( apocalypse ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Last weekend a number of UN officials warned the situation in northern Gaza was “apocalyptic”.

From BBC

Last weekend, 15 senior UN figures said conditions in the north were “apocalyptic”, with the entire population “at risk of death from starvation, disease and violence”.

From BBC

The group's ideology is characterised by "racist, anti-Semitic and partially apocalyptic ideas", prosecutors said.

From BBC

Former President Trump spent his last full day of campaigning Monday saying that only he can save America from an apocalyptic future dominated by out-of-control government, an “invasion” of criminal immigrants and amoral liberals — messages of dark foreboding much like the ones that have powered the Republican’s decade on the national stage.

From Los Angeles Times

The rest of us experienced an emotional tsunami that went from dumbfounded disbelief — surely this was one last bit of rhetorical self-aggrandizement that would lead to concession if he lost — to hideous apocalyptic foreboding — this is how democracy ends, not with a bang but with a 2 a.m. press conference.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ominous
• prophetic