rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydrasticExtreme in effect
adjective

drastic

DRAS-tik/ˈdræstɪk/

Severe or extreme in action or effect.

The drastic pruning leaves only short stubs of the leafy shrub.

Drastic pruning: a gardener cuts a large, leafy shrub almost completely down to short bare stubs, with its severed leafy crown piled beside it.
Etymology
drasticGreekeffective, active, violent

The Greek adjective meant effective or forceful. English first applied it to medicines with powerful effects on the bowels, then broadened it to severe measures or changes with strong effects.

In context

Love Nature: Predators101:37
he's made some drastic changes to the hill troops lives. the biggest one leading them out of the forest into Matt Noah's idilic home.
Running Wild With Macaque Troops | Macaque Island - FULL SEASON MARATHON

More examples

  • They took drastic measures.
  • The proposal would cause a drastic change.
  • She opposed the drastic reduction.

Forms

drastic

Similar words

extreme
Extreme is broader than an action with strong effects.
radical
Radical suggests fundamental change rather than severity alone.