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

Relevance

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 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

Harry Kane Kane was England’s clutch player at the World Cup, scoring a late double to avoid a disastrous early exit against DR Congo and netting what turned out to be the decisive goal from the penalty spot in England’s epic 3-2 win over Mexico.

— Cerys Jones, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
That area also roughly would coincide with the stock’s post-earnings close from May 28, after a disastrous revenue miss.

— Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time.

— Jack Moore, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

Many of those thought to have been involved in Shakur’s fatal shooting have since died.

— Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Grayson, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder in October in the fatal shooting of Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman who had reported a possible prowler outside her Springfield-area home.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Rocha Moya faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.

— CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
The Los Angeles fires in 2025 (also called the Palisades and Eaton fires) damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, making them among California’s most destructive wildfires.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 22 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

Browse Nearby Words

calamities

calamitous

calamity

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes