What does "apocalypse" mean?
A revealing, especially a prophecy of, or the unfolding of, supernatural events.
Apocalypse
/əˈpɑkəlɪps/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A revealing, especially a prophecy of, or the unfolding of, supernatural events.
- Grammar: apocalypse is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: armageddon, actuarial prediction, afflatus, armageddons.
- Useful contrasts: concealment, continuation, geneses.
- Usage evidence: What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
How to use "apocalypse"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apocalypse" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apocalypse" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apocalypse" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apocalypse" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apocalypse" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "armageddon" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apocalypse", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A revealing, especially a prophecy of, or the unfolding of, supernatural events.
"The early development of Perl 6 was punctuated by a series of apocalypses by Larry Wall."
- 2 a cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil wordnet
- 3 A huge disaster; a cataclysmic event; destruction or ruin of large scope and scale.
"Near-synonyms: cataclysm, catastrophe, holocaust; armageddon, doomsday, end times, eschaton, judgement day, judgment day"
- 4 The unveiling of events prophesied in the Revelation; the second coming and the end of life on Earth; global destruction.
"Meronyms: Final Judgment, Judgment Day, judgement day, judgment day"
- 5 The Book of Revelation.
Verb
- 1 To reveal. transitive, uncommon
"The transitory sufferings of the present time can never be put in competition with the glory which shall be apocalypsed in us; for even the creation itself, which shall not possess the glory, shall nevertheless derive from them such real solid benefit, such true freedom from real ills, that she also is desirous of our apocalypse."
- 2 To dwell on a huge disaster one expects to take place. informal, intransitive, rare
"“To Las Vegas? When was that?” “About four months before she died. When he was twenty-one. Just before he started in on all that preaching and apocalypsing business. […] Had him a vision, he said, and God told him to change his name to Sam-u-el Mor-de-cai. And ever since then he’s been apocalypsing and doing all them cult things you read about in the newspaper.”"
- 3 To bring about (a huge disaster). ambitransitive, informal, rare
"The fourth age of this Lunaeon is alive with povertous homage / For those whom^([sic]) chew upon the Rockking’s wealth / And worship his unlovable stone / Apocalypsing an end to this ever-there-be-day / Wear a cloak of benightly screaming / Banshees, eager to roam whence / Windrom releases their pent rage"
Proper Noun
- 1 The written account of a revelation of hidden things given by God to a chosen prophet. countable
"Apocalypses of Adam and Abraham (Epiphanius) and of Elias (Jerome) are also mentioned."
- 2 Revelation (last book of the Bible, composed of twenty-two chapters, which narrates a vision of the end times).
"He's been reading the Apocalypse again, and doomscrolling social media content that fixates on it."
- 3 Armageddon: the destructive end of the world.
"They keep predicting that the Apocalypse is nigh, but I notice that they have books and supplies that they're trying to sell."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apocalypse"?
Common synonyms include: armageddon, actuarial prediction, afflatus, armageddons, baring, cataclysm.
How do you use "apocalypse" in a sentence?
What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?
How do you pronounce "apocalypse"?
Pronounced /əˈpɑkəlɪps/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English apocalips, from Latin apocalypsis, from Ancient Greek ἀποκάλυψις (apokálupsis, “revelation”, literally “uncovering”), from ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalúptō, “to reveal”), from ἀπό (apó, “back, away from”) + καλύπτω (kalúptō, “I cover”), + -σις (-sis, suffix forming nouns). The sense evolution to "catastrophe, end of the world" stems from the depiction of such events in the biblical Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse of (i.e. Revelation to) John. The verb is from the noun and, in sense 1, a semantic loan from the etymonic Ancient Greek verb ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalúptō, “to reveal”).
Etymology 2
Proprialization from apocalypse, ultimately from Ancient Greek ἀποκάλυψις (apokálupsis, “revelation”). The translation decisions, from the original Greek to the conventional English choices Revelation and Apocalypse, are covered by Wikipedia at Book of Revelation § Title, authorship, and date.