apocalyptic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik How to pronounce apocalyptic (audio)
variants also apocalyptical
Definition of apocalypticnext
as in climactic
of, relating to, or being a major turning point the apocalyptic Battle of Stalingrad, which led to the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of apocalyptic The one bit of apocalyptic grimness that does come through is the color scheme. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Readers are whisked away to Jamaica and the Hebrides, the post-apocalyptic future and the medieval past, university lecture halls and modest sailboats. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026 But don’t participate in their apocalyptic—We’re going to Mars. — Victoria Feng, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 2026 Her storyline became an emotional anchor in the latest season of Hulu’s post-apocalyptic thriller. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic
  1. climactic
  2. critical
  3. pivotal
  4. decisive
  5. climacteric
  6. high
  7. watershed
Adjective
  • Mundy pointed out action scenes in previous episodes provided plenty of pyrotechnics, including a climactic brawl between Hal and John in Episode 5.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Their climactic scenes near the end, once all the obstacles have been removed, are lovely — and not just because Austen’s prose in their outcome is so indestructible.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of climactic
Adjective
  • Accessibility At 900 feet high, accessibility played a critical role in the project.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Washington has placed greater emphasis on producing critical weapons at higher rates.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • Its produce is pivotal in curbing supply-side inflation domestically, and the country ranks among the top global exporters of rice and sugar.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • There’s the recurring omission of pivotal moments — in the last two weeks alone, Mae’s death happens offscreen, as does everyone finding out about it — which is less vexing with tough scenes than joyous ones.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of pivotal
Adjective
  • Every action is decisive and cannot be reversed, just as the film runs ever forward through the projector.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The decisive Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday night in Las Vegas.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Keeping high-ethylene producers away from climacteric fruits can keep them from ripening too quickly.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 15 July 2025
  • For this reader, roughly the same age as Sam Raymond, there is uncommon pleasure in the paradoxes of this climacteric tale.
    — Claire Messud, Harper's Magazine, 22 June 2021
Definition of climacteric
Adjective
  • Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
  • That is a level higher than on other subjects such as fertility, at 54 percent, and menopause, at 48 percent.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of high
Adjective
  • The bombing became a watershed moment in the era’s violent conflicts between employers and organized labor.
    — The Learning Network, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But time zones aside, the launch marked a watershed moment for Canada's future in space.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses
apocalyptic
apocryphal
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Cite this Entry

“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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