Drastically
/ˈdræstɪkli/
adverbB2
Definition
Drastically is used to describe something that happens in a very strong, powerful, or extreme way. It often talks about big changes or actions that have a large effect on something.
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⚡ See It in Action
Describing very big or extreme changes or effects
- •The company had to cut costs drastically to survive.
- •The weather changed drastically overnight.
- •His health improved drastically after the treatment.
Used to emphasize the strong effect of an action or decision
- •They drastically reduced the number of employees.
- •The new law drastically affects how people pay taxes.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "drastically" like "very" or "a lot," but much stronger and more serious—like a big change, not a small one
- ✓Picture a river suddenly changing its path after a heavy storm—this is a drastic change, not a small shift
- ✓It's the feeling when something important changes very fast and strongly, like suddenly moving to a new country
- ✓Sounds like "DRAS-tic-lee" → imagine someone saying "DRASTIC!" loudly to show something is very serious or big
- ✓Think of stories where a character's life changes drastically after one event, like losing a job or winning a prize
- ✓NOT like "slightly" or "a little" (small changes), "drastically" means very big or extreme changes
- ✓NOT like "slowly" or "gradually," drastic changes happen fast and with strong effect
- ✓NOT like "softly" or "gently," drastic means strong and powerful, not calm or quiet
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Significantly: meaning important or large change (Use when you want to say the change is big but a little less emotional or extreme)
- •Greatly: meaning very much or a lot (Use in positive or negative situations when you want to say something changes a lot)
- •Severely: meaning very serious or harsh change (Use when the change is strong and often negative)
- •Extensively: meaning covering a large area or amount (Use when talking about wide or large scale changes)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "drastic" (adjective meaning extreme) + "-ally" (suffix that turns adjective into adverb)
- •Etymology: From Greek "drastikos," meaning active or effective, through Latin and French
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 1600s, originally meaning forceful or effective action
- •Modern usage: Used mostly to describe strong or extreme changes or effects in many situations like business, weather, health, or laws
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can a change be too drastic? How would you know if a change is too much or just right?
•How does the word "drastically" help us understand the importance or speed of changes in stories or real life?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The company had to change its plans drastically because of the ___ market conditions.
2.When the weather changes drastically, people often ___ their daily activities.
3.Unlike small adjustments, drastic changes happen ___ and with strong effects.
4.She decided to drastically ___ her diet to improve her health.
5.Drastically is often used with verbs like "reduce," "increase," or "change" to show ___ effects.
6.If something changes only a little, you would not say it changed drastically, but rather ___.
7.The new rules drastically ___ how businesses operate in the city.