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 That same year produced one of the most calamitous nights in tournament history. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026 The algorithm, Algo to its friends, put a calamitous opening day behind it to the season with a solid four out of 10. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for calamitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous

Adjective

Prolonged pump stoppages could lead to a disastrous local scenario of ruptured water supply, district heating, and sewage pipes, even if electricity remains available elsewhere in the country.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Yet, the Royals are sitting at home after a disastrous 69-93 campaign.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Roughly two months after fire ripped through Newhall’s historic downtown, four people are under arrest, accused of arson and conspiracy in the devastating blaze.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
French Algerian director Bouchareb, whose 2006 drama Days of Glory was Oscar-nominated, examines the devastating consequences that continue to affect local populations and the environment more than six decades later.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can be fatal in humans if treatment is not received before symptoms develop.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
The driver of the pickup truck was found unresponsive with fatal injuries and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, police said.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

As part of a plea agreement, O’Connor pleaded guilty in May to one count of knowingly possessing two destructive devices that were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
Also among the Golden Dawn initiates was infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, who the documentary said was a destructive force in the group, binging on drugs while being accused of summoning demons using Golden Dawn rituals.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of destructive

Adjective

The unfortunate truth is, most of them have lowered their standards in admissions and education.

— Ian Kingsbury, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Just ask this unfortunate Alaskan bear recently spotted with several multi-foot long tapeworms hanging out of its butt.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

In recent years, insurance companies have restricted business and shed large numbers of policies following catastrophic wildfires and fears about more in the future.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
In September, about 70 Americans remained unaccounted for following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border, while 18 Americans had been confirmed safe, Fox News Digital previously reported.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fulsome

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes