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 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 Scotland fought hard, and might have snatched a point after scoring a penalty kick to tie the game 1–1, but, in the seventy-fourth minute, Cafu attacked, causing enough panic in the Scotland box to force a calamitous own goal. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 When Odysseus’s men eat Helios’s cattle, the sun god appeals to Zeus, who sends such a calamitous storm that Odysseus alone survives. — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026 Beyond just one calamitous year, Payton took over a team that had lost its way for nearly a decade since Peyton Manning retired after Super Bowl 50. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for calamitous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous

Adjective

The last time Rushing caught Ohtani, the pitcher took over pitch-calling after a disastrous second inning against the Twins last week.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Since his disastrous tenure with the New York Yankees from 2016 to 2022, which included a suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, Chapman has worked to turn around his career.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of disastrous

Adjective

Emergency services in Andalusia said the death toll rose overnight amid the devastating blaze.

— Tom Soufi Burridge, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Stay after the final whistle, because this is one of the few places where a win—or a devastating loss—can still end in a conga line.

— Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of devastating

Adjective

Although most people recover from Legionnaires' disease with antibiotics, certain patients -- including those who are immunocompromised or who suffer from chronic lung diseases -- can develop complications that can be fatal.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 7 July 2026
The Grand Prairie Police Department is investigating a fatal crash in which a passenger vehicle hit a pedestrian.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Definition of fatal

Adjective

Sinlaku’s slow movement (in contrast to Bavi) worsened impacts by keeping destructive winds and torrential rain over the islands for hours, rather than moving through quickly.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
The fire burned simultaneously with the similarly destructive Eaton Fire in Altadena and other communities in the foothills of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.

— Daily News, Daily News, 4 July 2026

Definition of destructive

Adjective

For many women, painful periods are treated as an unfortunate but normal part of life.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Instead, the meddling radiated corruption over due process of an unfortunate but longstanding rule that has remedies seldom invoked in the middle of the World Cup.

— Vahe Gregorian July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Major personal injury firms have invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to handle large commercial vehicle and catastrophic injury cases, including in-house accident reconstruction, medical expert networks and trial presentation technology.

— Karen Koehler, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket—also owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—is out of service after a catastrophic explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral in late May.

— Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of calamitous

adjective

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