SKIP TO CONTENT

drastic

/ˈdræstɪk/
/ˈdrɑstɪk/
IPA guide

Something that is drastic is violent, forceful, and extreme. If you are saving for a car and you only have $50, you need to make a drastic change to your money accumulation scheme.

The word drastic comes from the Greek word for effective, but we use it to mean incredibly effective. If you want a drastic makeover, get rid of all your clothes, change your hair completely, and pick up a new way of speaking. Sometimes drastic action goes too far and so has bad consequences. A bankrupt company might make a drastic decision to fire the management without figuring out how to manage itself in the future.

Definitions of drastic
  1. adjective
    forceful and extreme and rigorous
    drastic measures”
    synonyms:
    forceful
    characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical)
Pronunciation
US
/ˈdræstɪk/
UK
/ˈdrɑstɪk/
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘drastic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family