drastic

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

Adjective

  1. Having a strong or far-reaching effect; extreme, severe.
    • If our third attempt fails, we may need drastic ideas.
    • Mister Crowley, won't you ride my white horse? Mister Crowley, it's symbolic of course Approaching a time that is classic I hear that maiden's call Approaching a time that is drastic Standing with their backs to the...
    • 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. - 2013 June 28, Joris...
  2. Acting rapidly or violently.
    • 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 [...] -...

Origin

Etymology tree Ancient Greek δρᾰ́ω (drắō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Ancient Greek δρᾶσῐς (drâsĭs) ▲ Ancient Greek -σῐς (-sĭs) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Hellenic *-tós Ancient Greek -τος (-tos) ▲ Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) ? Ancient Greek -τῐκός (-tĭkós) Ancient Greek δρᾱστῐκός (drāstĭkós)der. English drastic From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).

Forms

more drastic most drastic drastick

Synonyms

draconian

Derived

dramastic drastically drastic times call for drastic measures superdrastic ultradrastic

Noun

  1. A powerful, fast-acting purgative medicine.

Forms

drastics drastick