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Apocalyptic

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(pronounced uh-pok-uh-lip-tik)  adjective

Definition

1. of or relating to an apocalypse. 2. involving or predicting imminent disaster or end of the world; momentously tragic; extremely and shockingly bad or serious. 3. characterized by (usually exaggerated) prophecies of doom or massive destruction. 4. climactic or decisive (especially in a very disturbing way).

Other Forms

Apocalyptically  (pronounced uh-pok-uh-lip-tik-lee)  adverb

Apocalypticism  (pronounced uh-pok-uh-lip-tih-siz-um)  noun

Main Example

• A recent "60 Minutes" segment about the "mega" fires that have begun to plague the Western United States provides an apocalyptic vision of what lies ahead as average temperatures continue their climb and the annual fire season continues to lengthen, thanks to global warming.

Workplace Examples

• I don't mean to sound apocalyptic, but the last three months' sales numbers point to a very disturbing trend. Clearly, this issue needs to be our top priority.
• The stock market is myopic--it attaches too much importance to quarterly earnings. So, if we miss Wall Street's expectations for the next quarter by so much as a nickel, it'll be regarded by the investment community as almost apocalyptic and our stock price will plunge.

Other Examples

• rejecting somebody's gloom-and-doom scenario with Alan Greenspan-inspired words-- "irrational apocalypticism"
• during the late 1990s, as January 1, 2000 neared, doomsayers speaking apocalyptically about the "paralyzing computer failures" such as Y2K that will greet the new millennium
• with regard to the now-capped BP oil well, some notable scientists speaking in apocalyptic terms, claiming that with nearly half of the total oil that gushed into the Gulf since April 20 still in the water, the ultimate ecological consequences could be devastating as the microorganisms that are busy devouring all that oil gradually enter the food chain
• during the India-Pakistan military standoff in 2002, the Pentagon issuing an apocalyptic warning that a nuclear exchange between the two neighbors would kill 12 million people instantly, and as many as 100 million during a prolonged conflict

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