drastic
adj.-
1 extreme or severe (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediateextreme and sudden, usually used to describe a big change or a serious action.
characterised by an extreme, radical, or severe nature; often used to describe measures taken to resolve a difficult situation.
ExampleThe company had to make drastic changes to save money and avoid closing.
ExampleThe government implemented drastic measures to curb inflation, including a sudden and significant increase in interest rates that surprised the markets.
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2 rapid and violent (adj.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical Medicineacting very quickly and with great force.
acting with speed and violence; often used in older medical contexts to describe the effect of a treatment.
ExampleThe patient was given a drastic remedy to clear the poison from his system.
ExampleNineteenth-century physicians often resorted to drastic purgatives, believing that a violent physical reaction was necessary to expel the disease.
From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).
- Adjectivedrastic
- Adverbdrastically