APOCALYPTIC Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

apocalyptic

adjective

ə-ˌpä-kə-ˈlip-tik

variants also apocalyptical

Definition of apocalyptic

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

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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 He can next be seen in the post-apocalyptic werewolf thriller Dead Howling. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026 Molly Kinder saw the apocalyptic warnings about artificial intelligence while walking home from dropping her children off at elementary school. — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for apocalyptic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for apocalyptic

Adjective

That was our climactic sort of reveal at the very end of that one.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of climactic

Adjective

The critical need for a crisis communications plan, regardless of the size of your business.

— Janelle Ash , Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
If a critical variable exceeds an allowable limit, the safety function overrides the control system regardless of why the controller made its decision.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Castillo flashed a big smile Friday after playing a pivotal role in Yorkville’s 21-7 win at home over Oswego East.

— Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Tagovailoa threw the game-ending interception, leaving Penix’s status for a pivotal Week 6 meeting with the Chicago Bears uncertain.

— Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pivotal

Adjective

If Bass’ vow to rule the same as before represents a decisive leader, more and more Angelenos seem to be saying, give us the Raman flood.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
By afternoon, the Moon trines Mars and your mind gets sharper and more decisive.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 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

Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Storyteller Overland Powering up the sockets and appliances, the Gear Mode packs in 4+ kWh of Lithionics batteries that send power through a 2,000-W inverter and charge while driving through a high-output auxiliary alternator.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of high

Adjective

The paper, which has since been cited more than 250,000 times, was a watershed moment in AI.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Qatar’s Doha Film Festival will premiere four Qatari features and one original series at its upcoming edition in November in a watershed moment for the local film and TV industry.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of watershed

Browse Nearby Words

apocalypses

apocalyptic

apocryphal

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“Apocalyptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/apocalyptic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of apocalyptic

adjective

Example Sentences

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