apocalypticadj/əˈpɒ.kə.lɪp.tɪk/

• 1

  lifestylereligionOf or relating to an apocalypse:

  • Let him go and make, and burn, a pile or two [of bricks] with his own hands; he will thereby receive apocalyptic visions of a nature novel to his soul.
  • From beginning to end, and throughout, the Gospel makes such frequent use of apocalyptic motifs and the apocalyptic viewpoint that it deserves to be called the apocalyptic Gospel."
• 2

  Of or relating to an apocalypse:

  • For the first time since the show began, a sense of utter loneliness overwhelmed me, a bitter despair at the uselessness of individual effort in this gigantic tragedy of apocalyptic destruction.
  • In fact, interpreters commonly declare that Mark is an "apocalyptic" Gospel. When they read Jesus' long speech toward the end of the Gospel (chap. 13), they even detect a veritable "apocalypse": "Wars and rumors of wars, […]"
• 3

  Portending a future apocalypse (disaster, devastation, or doom).

  • Submissions on the part of gay teachers and students and organizations were countered by apocalyptic denunciations on the part of Bible-toting mothers and fathers expertly organized by the right.
  • Shortly after the publication of When Prophecy Fails, Hardyck and Braden (1962) investigated an apocalyptic group of Pentecostals to see if the failed apocalypse would result in enduring conviction and proselytization, but it did not.
• 4

  Catachresis for apoplectic.

  • He was apocalyptically furious.

apocalypticnoun/əˈpɒ.kə.lɪp.tɪk/

• 1

  One who predicts apocalypse.