drastic

Drastic is an English adjective used to describe actions, changes, or effects that are severe, radical, or extreme in scale or abruptness. It often conveys that a situation requires urgent or unconventional measures, and that the outcomes are substantial even transformative. The term is neutral in form but frequently carries evaluative or cautionary nuance, depending on context. Common collocations include drastic measures, drastic change, drastic reductions, and drastic consequences.

Etymology: Drastic derives from Latin drasticus, from Greek drastikos, meaning "active, capable of seizing," via Old French drastique or directly into English. The sense evolved in English to emphasize forcefulness or severity, especially when describing actions or results. The word has been in use since the early modern period.

Usage: Drastic is often reserved for situations where gradual or incremental steps would be insufficient. It is paired with nouns that denote policy, finance, medicine, or social conditions. Because it implies intensity, it can sound evaluative or even alarming when applied to forecasts or prospects. It is not inherently positive or negative; the assessment depends on the speaker's stance and the outcomes described.

See also: radical, severe, extreme; antonyms include mild, gradual. Note: while drastic and radical overlap in implying significant change, drastic emphasizes abruptness and severity, whereas radical emphasizes fundamental or foundational change.