CALAMITY Synonyms: 32 Similar and Opposite Words

calamity

noun

kə-ˈla-mə-tē

Definition of calamity

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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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 calamity The first calamity occurs on a remote road when his car hits a woman who inexplicably wanders in front of him. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026 On the present trajectory, the US and China are hurtling toward the very calamity that Kissinger warned about. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Their images, as much as those from stationary TV cameras or professional photographers, became our window onto the calamity. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 Minnesota Vikings What a calamity for Minnesota to let Sam Darnold go after a terrific 2024. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for calamity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamity

Noun

Faizi said ambulances and disaster management personnel arrived from a nearby facility within five minutes of being alerted.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
For example, largely because of the environmental disaster that is Weikuang Dam, the country doesn’t permit the development or operation of stand-alone monazite mines—that is, mines where nothing is mined except monazite ore.

— Glenn Zorpette, IEEE Spectrum, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

The top prize there was awarded to The Lake, directed by Abby Ellis, a film exploring the environmental catastrophe posed by the rapidly shrinking Great Salt Lake in Utah.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
Mahomes’ rapid recovery from last year’s ACL/LCL catastrophe is great news for Kansas City fans and the NFL’s TV/streaming partners, as he and the Chiefs are slated to pop up in as many as 12 national windows before the playoffs arrive.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of catastrophe

Noun

There’s a slickness to the carnage that rubs uncomfortably against the film’s humanist ethos, rendering artificial (for all Shen Teng’s trembling and mouth-contorting labors) the horrific tragedies that befall its characters.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
After Monday’s tragedy prompted Six Flags Over Georgia to evacuate guests, a spokesperson said the amusement park will reopen Friday.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragedy

Noun

The new series picks up after Korra’s actions, which inadvertently lead to an apocalypse that forces humanity to take refuge in the titular Havens, all of which have visually distinct identities.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
In addition, there's a killer-looking dark apocalypse comedy and a docuseries about one of the most famous boxers of all time.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of apocalypse

Browse Nearby Words

calamitous

calamity

calash

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Calamity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamity. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of calamity

noun

Example Sentences

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