cataclysm

cataclysm

noun

Definition of CATACLYSM

1

a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms <an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible>

Synonyms alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, deluge, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent

Related Words current, river, stream, tide; cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring; flux, inflow, influx; engulfment, washout; avalanche, blizzard; cascade, waterfall; excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus

Near Antonyms dribble, drip, trickle

Antonyms drought (also drouth)

2

a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction <the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded>

Synonyms apocalypse, calamity, cataclysm, catastrophe, debacle (also d{eacute}b{acirc}cle), tragedy

Related Words bloodbath, collapse, crash, meltdown; Armageddon, doomsday, end-time; convulsion, paroxysm, upheaval; accident, casualty, fatality; misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap; blast, blow, double whammy, one-two (or one-two punch)

Near Antonyms godsend, manna, windfall

3

a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order) <a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order>

Synonyms bouleversement, cataclysm, earthquake, paroxysm, storm, tempest, tumult, upheaval, uproar

Related Words insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution, subversion, unrest, uprising, upset; fit, seizure, spasm; eruption, flare-up, outbreak, outburst; bluster, bobbery, bustle, coil, commotion, furor, furore, fuss, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, pandemonium, rout, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, to-do, turmoil, welter, williwaw; quaking, rocking, shaking, trembling