1
: acting rapidly or violently
a drastic purgative
2
: extreme in effect or action : severe
drastic measures
made drastic changes
Examples of drastic in a Sentence
The situation calls for drastic measures.
Maybe we should try something less drastic first.
Recent Examples on the Web
President Donald Trump took a defiant victory lap in the House chamber on Tuesday night, using his address to a joint session of Congress to promote the flurry of drastic changes to domestic and foreign policy that his administration has made in just the first six weeks.
—
Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
But hold off on making any drastic changes to your beauty or hair care routine.
—Essence Lifestyle, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025
Many lawmakers have appeared at demonstrations in response to the Trump administration's drastic changes to the federal government.
—Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the incoming weather forced drastic changes to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the state.
—Jeff Martin and Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drastic
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Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
But hold off on making any drastic changes to your beauty or hair care routine.
—Essence Lifestyle, Essence, 5 Mar. 2025
Many lawmakers have appeared at demonstrations in response to the Trump administration's drastic changes to the federal government.
—Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 4 Mar. 2025
In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the incoming weather forced drastic changes to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the state.
—Jeff Martin and Jack Brook, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for drastic
Cite this Entry
“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Medical Definition
drastic
1 of 2 adjective
dras·tic
ˈdras-tik 
: acting rapidly or violently
—used chiefly of purgatives
drastic
2 of 2 noun
: a powerful medicinal agent
especially
: a strong purgative
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