1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a calamitous flood that destroyed the town's central business district
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of calamitous
When Antonin Kinsky was substituted by Igor Tudor in the 17th minute against Atletico Madrid after a second calamitous mistake leading to a goal, it was suggested that his future at Tottenham Hotspur, and perhaps as a professional at the elite level, was finished.
—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
The calamitous losses suffered at Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, and throughout the Western Pacific in the first months of World War II were eventually reversed.
—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
May 5 The king of the comedic rant, Jerry Seinfeld, is back with plenty of ammo about the joys of parenting, husbandry and calamitous current events — three separate topics that will demonstrate just how far civilization has gone down the tubes.
—
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Earth has long been deemed safe from a calamitous collision with a certain small asteroid in 2032.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
The calamitous losses suffered at Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, and throughout the Western Pacific in the first months of World War II were eventually reversed.
—
Robert Kagan,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
May 5 The king of the comedic rant, Jerry Seinfeld, is back with plenty of ammo about the joys of parenting, husbandry and calamitous current events — three separate topics that will demonstrate just how far civilization has gone down the tubes.
—
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Earth has long been deemed safe from a calamitous collision with a certain small asteroid in 2032.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous
Adjective
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Labour has teetered on the edge of one for weeks after those disastrous local election results, and only Burnham’s inability to run before now seems to have delayed one.
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On Monday night, David Remnick interviewed Hillary Rodham Clinton for a live taping of The New Yorker Radio Hour, where the former First Lady spoke plainly about Joe Biden and the disastrous 2024 election.
Adjective
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The Battle of the Gullet proves devastating for the Blacks, even if the blockade remains intact.
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In 1876, at the Centennial, the United States was still recovering from a devastating Civil War.
Adjective
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The fatal attack came 16 days later.
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Detectives identified James Goodman, 39, and Devinae Mitchell, 26, both of Hercules, as suspects in the fatal shooting, police said.
Adjective
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Historically, the country has experienced destructive earthquakes, including the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which killed hundreds and caused severe damage in the capital.
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Since her passing, Sonoma County experienced the most destructive wildfires in California history in 2017, only for another, more destructive fire to surpass it a year later.
Adjective
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The visible gap for the door mechanism running across the rear fenders is unfortunate, especially since more basic minivans showcase clean surfaces there.
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Here's Sophie Cunningham dominating another pre-game entrance before an unfortunate loss to Angel Reese last night.
Adjective
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More than half of the nearly 12 million population is experiencing crisis, emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger, the World Bank said, while social assistance programs reached fewer than one in 10 Haitians.
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America has been rushing into an artificial intelligence future without much of a plan to stop what could be catastrophic job losses.
Cite this Entry
“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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