What does "drastic" mean?

A powerful, fast-acting purgative medicine.

Drastic

Common synonyms include: abrupt, abrupt silence, acute, cultural revolution movements, cutting, decimated.

/ˈdɹæs.tɪk/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Noun

Adjective

1
Having a strong or far-reaching effect; extreme, severe.
"If our third attempt fails, we may need drastic ideas."
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 [...]"

Adjective

"The invention of TV caused a drastic change in our daily life."

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