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

The immunisations are resuming as 15 UN and humanitarian organisations have described the situation in north Gaza as "apocalyptic" nearly a month after an Israeli ground offensive began.

From BBC

But the apocalyptic tone and hard-line policy prescriptions in the two private speeches go further than his earlier pronouncements.

From Salon

Related Words

• ominous
• prophetic