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
Both paintings avoided a calamitous end during World War II, when Nazis impounded the Lederer’s vast art collection for more than a decade.
—
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
His 2001 novella God’s Debris describes a pandeistic philosophy, while his 2004 novel The Religion War tells the tale of a man on a mission to stop a calamitous war between Christians and Muslims.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
To sum up, that is four different managers over five spells, none of whom were actually sacked, just seven league wins, and one calamitous relegation.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Schitt’s Creek made the calamitous Rose family famous, and their escapades can now be found in one place in Canada.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
His 2001 novella God’s Debris describes a pandeistic philosophy, while his 2004 novel The Religion War tells the tale of a man on a mission to stop a calamitous war between Christians and Muslims.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
To sum up, that is four different managers over five spells, none of whom were actually sacked, just seven league wins, and one calamitous relegation.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Schitt’s Creek made the calamitous Rose family famous, and their escapades can now be found in one place in Canada.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nearly a year after the Eaton Fire ravaged Altadena, destroying thousands of homes and businesses on the way to becoming one of California's most devastating wildfires, survivors are still struggling to find ways to manage their mental health and cope with grief.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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The devastating title essay, which recounts the death of Ward’s husband, the father of her children, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, is worth seeking out this collection alone.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Several hundred protesters gathered at First Ward Park on Thursday night in response to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Jan. 2026
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John Mulaney has postponed three upcoming shows in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.—
Amy McCarthy,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Their late concession of the winning penalty to Morgan Gibbs-White, above, was unfortunate.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Many unfortunate events were blamed on poison—the unexpected death of an enslaver or a slave, a spate of local deaths due to a virus or other disease, or problems on the plantation such as ill livestock or bad harvests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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He's been full throttle since he was elected governor seven years ago, leading the state through COVID-19, two school shootings, and four of the most destructive wildfires in Colorado history.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Minutes away from his position in Arcadia, reports indicated a fire had started in approximately the same place where, in 1993, another fire had brought about catastrophic consequences.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Jan. 2026
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Stand looking out from the wide intersection of East Mariposa Street and Lake Avenue for one potent, representative view of Altadena a year after the catastrophic Eaton fire.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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