drastic

English

Alternative forms

• drastick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɹɑːs.tɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɹæs.tɪk/
• Rhymes: -æstɪk

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (AU)

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Adjective

drastic (comparative more drastic, superlative most drastic)

1. Having a strong or far-reaching effect; extreme, severe.

   If our third attempt fails, we may need drastic ideas.

   • 2013 June 28, Joris Luyendijk, “Our banks are out of control”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 3, page 21:

     Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.

2. (Orig. of medicine) Acting rapidly or violently.
   • 1871-72, George Eliot, Middlemarch:

     Great statesmen err, and why not small medical men? Mr. Wrench did not neglect sending the usual white parcels, which this time had black and drastic contents. Their effect was not alleviating to poor Fred [...]

Usage notes

This word typically has a negative connotation. When describing positive, neutral, or non-frightening things, a less loaded synonym such as dramatic may be preferred instead.

Synonyms

• (severe): draconian

Derived terms

• drastically

Translations

Noun

drastic (plural drastics)

1. A powerful, fast-acting purgative medicine.

Anagrams

• cardist

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French drastique.

Adjective

drastic m or n (feminine singular drastică, masculine plural drastici, feminine and neuter plural drastice)

1. drastic

Declension