Words / B2

DRAST-ik/ˈdræstɪk/

Drastic means extreme and sudden in effect: drastic cuts; drastic action. Dramatic is already in the dictionary and stresses striking change, not always severity. Severe is close. Drastically is the adverb. Do not call a 1% tweak drastic. News editors like drastic measures — check if the evidence is really extreme.

Meaning

Extreme and having a strong effect, often sudden.

Examples

• “Drastic cuts to the bus service left villages isolated.”
• “Drastic cuts left villages without an evening bus.”
• “The regulator called for drastic action on sewage spills, not another voluntary code.”

Good to know

drastic cuts / action / measures. Adverb: drastically. Close: severe. Mix-up: dramatic (striking). Not a tiny change.

Near in meaning

severe

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