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
The bill is a part of a larger effort by Gov. Landry to bring drastic reform to Louisiana’s K-12 education system.
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Jacob Mathews | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 June 2024
Ariana Grande has a perfectly good explanation for the drastic change in her speaking voice.
—Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
The net result has been a drastic pay cut — at least in terms of buying power — to members over the last 15 years, particularly given the rapid inflation of the last three years and the soaring cost of living in Washington.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 15 June 2024
The Conservatives were already on the defensive after jettisoning two prime ministers without an election in quick succession in 2022: first Boris Johnson, felled by scandals, then Liz Truss, who rocked the economy with drastic tax-slashing plans and lasted just seven weeks in office.
—Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for drastic 
Jacob Mathews | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 June 2024
Ariana Grande has a perfectly good explanation for the drastic change in her speaking voice.
—Njera Perkins, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
The net result has been a drastic pay cut — at least in terms of buying power — to members over the last 15 years, particularly given the rapid inflation of the last three years and the soaring cost of living in Washington.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 15 June 2024
The Conservatives were already on the defensive after jettisoning two prime ministers without an election in quick succession in 2022: first Boris Johnson, felled by scandals, then Liz Truss, who rocked the economy with drastic tax-slashing plans and lasted just seven weeks in office.
—Jill Lawless, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for drastic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near drastic
Cite this Entry
“Drastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drastic. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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