drastic
Americanadjective
-
extremely severe or extensive.
a drastic tax-reduction measure.
-
(of medicines) acting with force or violence.
a drastic laxative.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- drastically adverb
Etymology
Origin of drastic
First recorded in 1685–95; from Greek drastikós “active,” equivalent to drast(ós) (verbal adjective of drân “to do”) + -ikos adjective suffix ( -ic )
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.
But I don’t know, it’s probably not unlike the drastic change that another kid at 18 would have going to college,” Rodrigo said in December 2021.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
The squeeze on supply has pushed oil and natural gas prices higher, with drastic knock-on effects for supply chains in countless industries.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
Oil is trading near $100 a barrel, and natural-gas prices have surged to the point that countries dependent on imported fuel are taking drastic steps to cut consumption.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026
Some analysts remain skeptical that Meta and YouTube would make drastic changes to their products because they’ve weathered crises before.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026
It was a drastic transformation, in just a few days.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
