calamitous

adjective

kə-ˈla-mə-təs How to pronounce calamitous (audio)
Definition of calamitousnext
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business

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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

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
  1. disastrous
  2. devastating
  3. fatal
  4. destructive
  5. unfortunate
  6. catastrophic
Adjective
  • Dhillon’s success in those initiatives was middling at best — and in some areas disastrous.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Its shares are down almost 9% Thursday, extending its disastrous stretch.
    — Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of disastrous
Adjective
  • In 2003, at the age of twenty, Pancho experienced a devastating brainstem stroke while recovering from a car accident and major surgery.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Much of the work here is quietly devastating in evoking absence, fear and exile.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 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
  • Pastor Mo warned against destructive behavior at the holiday celebration.
    — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • According to the Army, its integration process is non-destructive, meaning attaching the kit does not permanently alter the underlying munition.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of destructive
Adjective
  • Before that, the Broncos were a major beneficiary of an unfortunate series of events in the third quarter.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
  • As the state no longer holds a monopoly on the tools—nor the data—used to keep us safe, an opaque gap between the private and public sectors has opened where unfortunate, and even tragic, events can transpire.
    — David Niccolini, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 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
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Cite this Entry

“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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