1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in catastrophe
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cataclysm
The most horrifying feature of this cataclysm occurred at a girls’ summer camp, where 27 children and counselors are confirmed to have died.
—
The Editors, National Review, 7 July 2025
Unlike during the pandemic, a cataclysm that played no favorites, the trade war is fast becoming a consumer marketing minefield.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Dyer’s father was traumatized by the austerity of growing up in England between two military cataclysms, and his daily satisfaction is bound in his ability to pinch pences.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The first five mass extinctions were triggered by cataclysms such as super volcano eruptions and the impact of a massive asteroid.
—Keridwen Cornelius, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
The Editors, National Review, 7 July 2025
Unlike during the pandemic, a cataclysm that played no favorites, the trade war is fast becoming a consumer marketing minefield.
—Greg Petro, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
Dyer’s father was traumatized by the austerity of growing up in England between two military cataclysms, and his daily satisfaction is bound in his ability to pinch pences.
—Daniel Felsenthal, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The first five mass extinctions were triggered by cataclysms such as super volcano eruptions and the impact of a massive asteroid.
—Keridwen Cornelius, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysm
Noun
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Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Life-changing weather events like the 1998 tornadoes, the 2010 flood and 2020 tornadoes.—
Nicole Young,
Nashville Tennessean,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dimon has led the bank since 2005, guiding it through periods of upheaval to notch record profits in 7 of the last 10 years.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The industry hasn’t seen this much upheaval since 1997, the last comparable seminal moment in fashion.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Real estate agents in Westchester, directly north of the city’s border, say the torrent began shortly after Mamdani’s surprise win in the Democratic primary in June.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The death of Banda Amidst the torrents, Arisu follows the sound of Usagi’s voice, as they are both swept towards a watery vortex that leads to the world of the dead.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
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
-
The electric vehicle revolution is often framed as a climate imperative—a way to cut carbon emissions and slow global warming.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Other nations, forced to stand on their own, may finally unleash their own revolutions.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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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Arefi is quick to point out that women were the most affected by last month’s deadly earthquake – a message echoed by the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan – just one of many examples of their suffering.—
Amanda Davies,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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The earthquake struck at a depth of just 2 miles, with its epicenter roughly 4 miles east of Vallejo.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Oct. 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
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysm. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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