drastic
English edit
Alternative forms edit
- drastick (obsolete)
Etymology edit
From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
drastic (comparative more drastic, superlative most drastic)
- 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.
- (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 edit
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. [1]
Synonyms edit
- (severe): draconian
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
extreme, severe
|
Noun edit
drastic (plural drastics)
Anagrams edit
Romanian edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from French drastique.
Adjective edit
drastic m or n (feminine singular drastică, masculine plural drastici, feminine and neuter plural drastice)
Declension edit
Declension of drastic
singular | plural | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
masculine | neuter | feminine | masculine | neuter | feminine | ||
nominative/ accusative |
indefinite | drastic | drastică | drastici | drastice | ||
definite | drasticul | drastica | drasticii | drasticele | |||
genitive/ dative |
indefinite | drastic | drastice | drastici | drastice | ||
definite | drasticului | drasticei | drasticilor | drasticelor |