CALAMITOUS Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

calamitous

adjective

kə-ˈla-mə-təs

Definition of calamitous

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of calamitous Brown was married at the church altar in the spring of ‘93, months before that calamitous summer. — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 The entire season to that point had taken place over the course of one evening, and, in a breath of fresh air, the finale spans the days following that calamitous — but ultimately successful — service. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 June 2026 His grief was crushing, paralyzing, calamitous. — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026 There was an irony, then, that Romo was responsible for their winning goal — profiting from a calamitous defensive mix-up between South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and defender Lee Gi-hyuk in the 50th minute. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for calamitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous

Adjective

Arjun Poudel, a health reporter in Nepal, was commuting to the offices of the Kathmandu Post, in the country’s capital, when messages started coming in about a disastrous flood in his home town, close to the border with China.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Since a disastrous debut, the rookie right-hander has allowed just two runs over his last 9 2/3 innings with 15 strikeouts.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

The mother and daughter are among 90 Americans missing after the devastating landslide and flood, which tore through steep mountain gorges near the Nepal-China border and surged downstream along a river, wiping out entire villages.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Kick the can If Congress fails to act, payments are expected to be 22% lower, which could be devastating for the millions of seniors who rely on their Social Security benefits to pay for basic necessities.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

An incident that for others might be fatal—a free fall from a high bridge—affects the coyote for only a brief moment.

— Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
There is a broad debate over the applicability of PNB to modern anti-trust cases, with many legal scholars finding the application of a random number, without any real analysis of the potential harm a merger might cause, to be a fatal flaw.

— Shubha Ghosh, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Those three for-profit utilities have caused at least seven of California’s 20 most destructive fires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

— Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Authorities in Spokane, Washington arrested 37-year-old Aaron Farinacci for allegedly starting the Old Trails Fire in early August, which became one of the most destructive wildfires in that state's history.

— Kirk Siegler, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of destructive

Adjective

Hall was excellent for Newcastle against Liverpool in the clubs’ season opener on Sunday, and unfortunate to concede a stoppage-time penalty for the equaliser.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
People have an unfortunate tendency to make this song sound dour, but Garcia fills it with energy.

— Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

As the consequences of this strategically catastrophic campaign become ever more apparent, the New Right’s clout is set to grow, having opposed the war from the start.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
The heavy snows purify the air and insulate the food warehouses, locking in the high humidity and stable chill necessary to nurture delicate winter koji and yeast strains without catastrophic temperature spikes.

— Adam H. Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of catastrophic

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calamities

calamitous

calamity

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“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

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