as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
this latest breakdown of the car is inconvenient, but not a calamity
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Recent Examples of calamity
But earlier this month, President Lee Jae-myung told Reuters such requirements would trigger a calamity similar to the one that eventually required an International Monetary Fund bailout.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Parts of the southeastern United States are bracing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Imelda, just one year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, leaving casualties and calamity in its wake.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
In the episode, eight of the nine ringers suffer calamities on the eve of the game which preclude their participation, with Sax held on comically-unfounded suspicion of committing approximately 600 murders in the New York City area.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
These calamities drastically reduce the genetic diversity in a group.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamity
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Parts of the southeastern United States are bracing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Imelda, just one year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, leaving casualties and calamity in its wake.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
In the episode, eight of the nine ringers suffer calamities on the eve of the game which preclude their participation, with Sax held on comically-unfounded suspicion of committing approximately 600 murders in the New York City area.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025
These calamities drastically reduce the genetic diversity in a group.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamity
Noun
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The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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Freeport-McMoRan is likely to rebound from an environmental disaster last month at its giant Grasberg mine in Indonesia that led the copper and gold producer to cut its production estimates, according to UBS.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Furthermore, a zombie apocalypse wouldn’t even scratch the surface of weirdest things to happen in the fictional town of Riverdale.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Believe it or not, the zombie apocalypse has reached the MCU.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After the tragedy, Gibson's attorney said the actor had since rehomed his beloved mastiffs.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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There are too many stories, too many tragedies, and too many silver linings to properly detail, especially as the national media spotlight has long moved on to the next crisis.—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Calamity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamity. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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