drastic
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
extreme 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.
Simple“The company had to make drastic changes to save money and avoid closing.”
In context“The government implemented drastic measures to curb inflation, including a sudden and significant increase in interest rates that surprised the markets.”
- 02 C2 Proficiency
acting very quickly and with great force.
acting with speed and violence; often used in older medical contexts to describe the effect of a treatment.
Simple“The patient was given a drastic remedy to clear the poison from his system.”
In context“Nineteenth-century physicians often resorted to drastic purgatives, believing that a violent physical reaction was necessary to expel the disease.”
Usage drastic challenge
“Losing 4-0 at Brighton is not going to do much for morale but it will make a team take drastic action in the market.”
“That’s a condition called “ run of river ,” which could result in drastic cuts to the Lower Basin’s water supply.”
From Ancient Greek δραστικός (drastikós, “active, efficient”), from δρᾶσις (drâsis, “strength, efficacy”), itself from δράω (dráō, “to do”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.