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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 For decades, scientists have been warning us about the calamitous consequences of climate change. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 For both satellites and race cars, tiny miscalculations become calamitous. — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 14 July 2026 Each week, Mantooth’s Gage, partner Roy De Soto (Kevin Tighe) and their firefighter colleagues would answer calls both routine and calamitous. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 July 2026 For smaller private colleges that are tuition dependent and lack substantial and accessible endowments, even a modest reduction in enrollment could prove calamitous. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for calamitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous

Adjective

The disastrous late-August flash flooding near Phantom Ranch struck below the burn scar left by that blaze, the National Weather Service said.

— Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
The bill for the disastrous Leonard era now includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — the reigning, two-time MVP — 10 first-round picks and two additional pick swaps.

— Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Here are a few of the fronts on which that undeclared war is being fought, with devastating consequences for the next generation of Americans.

— David Wippman, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Twenty-five years after the devastating terror attacks, the retired Bountiful, Utah, resident still carries the memories of that day — not only the fear and uncertainty, but also the camaraderie and grief shared by those around him.

— Kaanita Iyer, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

That is until his young niece and nephew are kidnapped at a birthday party following the fatal shooting of his diplomat brother and the latter’s wife (Constanza Andrade).

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Boeing admitted responsibility for the fatal crashes and that its employees withheld information about the design flaw from the Federal Aviation Administration during certification.

— Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Large, destructive waves and life-threatening rip currents are forecast across many Hawaiian shorelines during the next several days.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
America’s sense of security was smashed with apocalyptic fury Tuesday when the most destructive and meticulously planned terror attack in history shattered two of the country’s most potent symbols.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of destructive

Adjective

That is the unfortunate part of a tenure full of expansion, media-rights billions and two transformational collective bargaining agreements.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Moore and his allies are presenting gerrymandering as an unfortunate response to an acute political crisis, but trying to gerrymander Maryland in favor of Democrats is far from a new effort.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

There were also calls for Congressional oversight hearings on AI’s catastrophic risks.

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Washington to stop expanding its military footprint off the planet, warning against a catastrophic space arms race.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

calamities

calamitous

calamity

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“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

Example Sentences

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