1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business
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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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Recent Examples of calamitous
Troy was the starting point of Odysseus’s calamitous 10-year westward voyage, with many detours and misadventures, to his kingdom of Ithaca.
—
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 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
With a calamitous season now in the books, the Damon Stoudamire era at Georgia Tech is over after only three seasons, the school announced Sunday.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 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
With a calamitous season now in the books, the Damon Stoudamire era at Georgia Tech is over after only three seasons, the school announced Sunday.
—Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous
Adjective
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This study marks the first to use that data to model climate as rising temperatures are expected to fuel more disastrous events, from marine heat waves that kill coral to droughts.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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The 23-year-old four-time All-American at Virginia struggled all day and came away with a disastrous round of 8-over-par 78 that left him at 2-under and in a tie for 59th, 11 shots off the pace set by Jackson Suber, who was at 13-under.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Our prayers continue for those in Congo who are facing this devastating epidemic and for the ongoing efforts to control the disease.—
Kiki Intarasuwan,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Charles Crinklaw is trying to process the devastating loss suffered when a plane full of skydivers crashed Sunday in Butler, Missouri, killing everyone aboard.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Other fatal skydiving crashes in Missouri Sunday’s crash was at least the fourth deadly skydiving incident in Missouri since 1998.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
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Under Brazilian law, the charge applies to cases in which someone engages in conduct that carries a fatal risk, even if there was no intent to kill, the outlet reported.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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The new strategy comes a day after 21 people were arrested at a watch party that became violent and destructive, according to a law enforcement official.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
10 June 2026
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Clean energy should not mean a 140-mile transmission corridor cutting through sensitive landscapes when less destructive options may exist closer to the load center north of San Onofre.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The unfortunate reality is that credit card rates rise quickly but fall slowly.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
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That’s especially unfortunate when the prior episode ended on a cliffhanger with a gang of armed and angry townspeople arriving at the Black Spot for Hank.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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For patients weighing the long-term implications of starting, stopping or cycling on and off these medications, the review suggests the metabolic stakes of regain may be less catastrophic than feared.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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Kenneth Bass is one of thousands of residents and business owners suing the city of Los Angeles and other entities over property loss and other damages suffered during the catastrophic Palisades fire.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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