adj
Uncommon
drastic
DRAHS-tihk
Drastic (adj) means Extreme or severe, especially describing an action taken to fix a serious problem. Example: “The company took drastic measures to cut costs.”
adj
1
Extreme or severe, especially describing an action taken to fix a serious problem.
"The company took drastic measures to cut costs."
"Doctors warned that drastic changes to his diet were needed."
"After the flood, the council had to take drastic action to protect the village."
How to use drastic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtreme, forceful, or far-reaching — usually describing a strong response to a serious situation.
Common pairings
drastic measures
drastic action
drastic change
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Word forms
- Plural
- drastics
- Comparative
- more drastic
- Superlative
- most drastic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company took _____ measures to cut costs.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek drastikós, "active, effective," from drân, "to do."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for drastic
See all rhymes for drastic →Frequently asked questions
What does “drastic” mean?
The word “drastic” means extreme or severe, especially describing an action taken to fix a serious problem. In plain terms, extreme, forceful, or far-reaching — usually describing a strong response to a serious situation.
How do you pronounce “drastic”?
“Drastic” is pronounced DRAHS-tihk (/ˈdɹæs.tɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “drastic” in a sentence?
Here is “drastic” used in a sentence: “The company took drastic measures to cut costs.”
What part of speech is “drastic”?
“Drastic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “drastic” come from?
The word “drastic” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek drastikós, "active, effective," from drân, "to do.".
Is “drastic” a common word?
“Drastic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "drastic" and "severe"?
"Drastic" specifically describes an action taken to fix a serious problem, emphasizing its extreme or sudden nature, as in "drastic measures." "Severe" is more general and can describe conditions, pain, or weather without implying a deliberate corrective action.
Is "drastic" always used about actions taken to solve a problem?
Most commonly, yes: "drastic" describes actions that are extreme or severe, especially when taken to fix a serious problem, such as "drastic cuts" or "drastic reform." It carries a sense of urgency and last resort.
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