Definition of "drastic" []

• Severe or radical in nature; extreme: the drastic measure of amputating the entire leg; drastic social change brought about by the French Revolution. (adjective)
• Taking effect violently or rapidly: a drastic emetic. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He also blames the so-called quantitative easing monetary policies in countries like the United States for causing what he describes as "drastic fluctuations" in currency exchange rates and commodity prices."
• "In a statement in Pretoria the IFP said the move, which it described as drastic, had to be discussed widely since it impacted negatively on students conducting their studies in Afrikaans."
• "Motoko Rich reported in The Times recently on new research showing that most people who lost their jobs in recent years now make less and have not maintained their lifestyles, with many experiencing what they describe as drastic - and probably irreversible - declines in income."