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 This is aside from the calamitous damage that the wars have wrought on Israel’s international reputation. — Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for calamitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous

Adjective

Still, by the time the meeting ended, aldermen had agreed the new terms made the disastrous 2008 privatization of the city’s once-public system a little bit better.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Undeterred, the press has continued to publish damning reports about his chaotic management of the Pentagon at home and the US military’s disastrous conduct overseas.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Nearly a month after the first in a devastating string of beluga deaths at Shedd Aquarium, its officials Friday offered preliminary answers about what may have gone wrong.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026
The memory has historically been prone to devastating boom-and-bust cycles.

— Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

In its statement, FARDC said an investigation to determine the actual circumstances and the exact causes of the fatal plane crash was already underway.

— Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026
As flu season approaches, TikTokers are spreading a homemade elixir to supposedly boost the immune system that experts warn could in fact cause the fatal disease botulism.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

But most destructive is the voice of Jamal’s stepdad, which is a negative, paranoid voice that tries to convince him to doubt the intentions of those around him.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
Such capabilities can potentially affect military intelligence, communications, and navigation without creating the debris associated with destructive anti-satellite missile tests.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of destructive

Adjective

These unfortunate souls were supposed to stay in their birthplace, hoping church charity would sustain them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Artistic but flighty, Deborah ends up at her parents’ alma mater when an unfortunate incident gets her NYU Tisch School of the Arts acceptance rescinded.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Refining these predictive models will also improve safety for reentry vehicles and high-speed aircraft, ultimately minimizing or eliminating catastrophic water damage.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
If that wasn’t bad enough, the dead satellites would start crashing into things, creating cascades of high-speed debris that could destroy most remaining satellites in a catastrophic domino effect called Kessler syndrome.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

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