# drastic

/ˈdɹæstɪk/ (US) · /dɹˈɑːstɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/drastic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. extreme or severe

adjective · CEFR B2

extreme and sudden, usually used to describe a big change or a serious action.

For teachers: characterised by an extreme, radical, or severe nature; often used to describe measures taken to resolve a difficult situation.

- The company had to make drastic changes to save money and avoid closing.
- The government implemented drastic measures to curb inflation, including a sudden and significant increase in interest rates that surprised the markets.

### 2. rapid and violent

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

acting very quickly and with great force.

For teachers: acting with speed and violence; often used in older medical contexts to describe the effect of a treatment.

- The patient was given a drastic remedy to clear the poison from his system.
- Nineteenth-century physicians often resorted to drastic purgatives, believing that a violent physical reaction was necessary to expel the disease.

## Examples

- The company had to make drastic changes to save money.
- The doctor warned that if the medication didn't work, more drastic measures like surgery would be necessary.
- The sudden collapse of the market forced the government to take drastic action, implementing emergency regulations that would have been unthinkable only a week prior.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.