How do you use the word "apocalypse" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "apocalypse": The zombie apocalypse is nigh! What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?

Apocalypse Meaning

/əˈpɒkəlɪps/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA revealing, especially a prophecy of, or the unfolding of, supernatural events.

nounA huge disaster; a cataclysmic event; destruction or ruin of large scope and scale.

Sentence Examples

The zombie apocalypse is nigh!

What would you do in the event of a zombie apocalypse?

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

revelation

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

Survivors of the ____ searched for food among the ruined cities.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The movie depicted the final days of earth during an ____.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Hellenic *apó Ancient Greek ᾰ̓πό (ăpó) Ancient Greek ἀπο- (apo-) Ancient Greek καλύπτω (kalúptō) Ancient Greek ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalúptō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σις (-sis) Ancient Greek ᾰ̓ποκᾰ́λῠψῐς (ăpokắlŭpsĭs)der. Latin apocalypsisbor. Middle English apocalips English apocalypse From Middle English apocalips, from Latin apocalypsis, from Ancient Greek ἀποκάλυψις (apokálupsis, “revelation”, literally “uncovering”), from ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalúptō, “to reveal”), from ἀπό (apó, “back, away from”) + καλύπτω (kalúptō, “to cover”), + -σις (-sis, suffix forming nouns). The sense evolution to "catastrophe, end of the world" stems from the depiction of such events in the biblical Book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse of (i.e. Revelation to) John. The verb is from the noun and, in sense 1, a semantic loan from the etymonic Ancient Greek verb ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalúptō, “to reveal”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Man has forgotten the soul and thus doomed his civilization to apocalypse." — 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 180:

"The Spanish mission in America soon became not so much crusade as apocalypse." — 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin, published 2010, page 699:

"In 2016, President Barack Obama told his staff that Donald Trump’s election victory was “not the apocalypse”. By any definition, he was correct. But understood in the original sense of the Greek word apokálypsis, meaning “unveiling”, Obama could not give the same reassurance in 2025." — 2025 January 10, Peter Thiel, quoting Barack Obama, “A time for truth and reconciliation”, in Financial Times, archived from the original on 10 Jan 2025:

"The transitory sufferings of the present time can never be put in competition with the glory which shall be apocalypsed in us; for even the creation itself, which shall not possess the glory, shall nevertheless derive from them such real solid benefit, such true freedom from real ills, that she also is desirous of our apocalypse." — 1832 March 17, Joseph D’Arcy Sirr, “Appendix”, in The First Resurrection Considered in a Series of Letters: […], Philadelphia, Pa.: Orrin Rogers, […] E. G. Dorsey, […], published 1841, →OCLC, page 155:

"For the information of the mere English reader we may remark that apocalupsis is derived from a verb which signifies “to uncover, bring to light what was hidden.” […] Now, when this shall be the order of the day, the nations will have been apocalypsed by him who will be “the glory of Israel.” […] Such is, and such will continue to be, the spiritual condition of the world until then. But when they have been apocalypsed, or illuminated, the change will be glorious. […] Having spoken peace to the nations, and being established in his glory, the day of Jehovah’s exaltation will have been apocalypsed, or revealed—that day in which, it is testified, “Jehovah alone shall be exalted”—Isaiah ii. 10, 11, 16, 17." — 1869, John Thomas, “Who are the Servants of God”, in Eureka: An Exposition of the Apocalypse, in Harmony with “The Things of the Kingdom of the Deity, and the Name of Jesus Anointed”, 2nd edition, volume I, West Hoboken, N.J.: […] [T]he author, →OCLC, chapter I (The source from which the Apocalypse emanated; […]), section I, pages 24 and 26:

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