cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly
: an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
Synonyms
Examples of cataclysm in a Sentence
floods, earthquakes, and other cataclysms
The country barely survived the cataclysm of war.
The revolution could result in worldwide cataclysm.
Recent Examples on the Web
The age of mass protest ushered in by the Arab Spring is hardly over, but the record of failures, setbacks, and cataclysms has been dispiriting.
—
Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 20 Sep. 2023
The climactic cataclysm, and one that helped to define the Mille Miglia, is a total fluke: De Portago’s car runs over a small object on the road, slashing his tire, and what happens after that is suck-in-your-breath horrific and (thanks to the way that Mann has set it up) worthy of tears.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2023
That level of willful denial in the face of the climate cataclysm all but guarantees that the Republicans will never win the majority support of younger voters.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
The manifesto argued that gradual reforms weren’t enough in the face of a cataclysm.
—Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
For some of these characters, that’s a terrifying prospect, of course, but for others, already broiling in the crucible of their own shame, a future sterilized by cataclysm is weirdly attractive.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
The city even agreed to block off a small stretch of 1-75 to create a deserted freeway for the project that starred Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, John Leguizamo and Jacob Latimore as survivors of a mysterious cataclysm.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2023
The Chinese economy is currently enduring a cataclysm of issues.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
In the wholesome romance, love isn’t just a refuge from old trauma or contemporary cataclysms.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
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Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 20 Sep. 2023
The climactic cataclysm, and one that helped to define the Mille Miglia, is a total fluke: De Portago’s car runs over a small object on the road, slashing his tire, and what happens after that is suck-in-your-breath horrific and (thanks to the way that Mann has set it up) worthy of tears.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Aug. 2023
That level of willful denial in the face of the climate cataclysm all but guarantees that the Republicans will never win the majority support of younger voters.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
The manifesto argued that gradual reforms weren’t enough in the face of a cataclysm.
—Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2023
For some of these characters, that’s a terrifying prospect, of course, but for others, already broiling in the crucible of their own shame, a future sterilized by cataclysm is weirdly attractive.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 22 Aug. 2023
The city even agreed to block off a small stretch of 1-75 to create a deserted freeway for the project that starred Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, John Leguizamo and Jacob Latimore as survivors of a mysterious cataclysm.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 19 Aug. 2023
The Chinese economy is currently enduring a cataclysm of issues.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2023
In the wholesome romance, love isn’t just a refuge from old trauma or contemporary cataclysms.
—Time, 11 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cataclysm.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
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Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm
1
: a great flood
2
: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)
3
: a violent social or political change
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