Synonyms of cataclysm

cataclysm

noun

ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flood
• torrent
• tide
• inundation
• blizzard
• stream
• avalanche
• deluge
• influx
• flood tide
• overflow
• river
• cataract
• bath
• Niagara
• spate
• waterfall
• alluvion
• cascade
• current
• outflow
• outpouring
• inflow
• cloudburst
• surplus
• flux
• washout
• glut
• discharge
• excess
• flush
• gush
• engulfment
• oversupply
• overabundance
• surfeit
• superfluity
• overage
• superabundance
• overkill
• overmuch

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drought
• trickle
• drip
• dribble

2

as in disaster

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disaster
• catastrophe
• apocalypse
• calamity
• tragedy
• collapse
• accident
• crash
• debacle
• upheaval
• fatality
• Armageddon
• casualty
• convulsion
• meltdown
• bloodbath
• doomsday
• misfortune
• blow
• paroxysm
• end-time
• mishap
• misadventure
• mischance
• blast
• double whammy
• one-two

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• windfall
• manna
• godsend

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• upheaval
• revolution
• earthquake
• unrest
• insurrection
• storm
• convulsion
• revolt
• uprising
• tempest
• turmoil
• tumult
• paroxysm
• rebellion
• eruption
• mutiny
• uproar
• insurgency
• stir
• outbreak
• overthrow
• bouleversement
• outburst
• subversion
• upset
• commotion
• seizure
• spasm
• pandemonium
• to-do
• coil
• row
• squall
• furor
• fit
• hubbub
• rout
• bustle
• trembling
• ruckus
• overturn
• quaking
• hullabaloo
• welter
• rumpus
• stew
• shaking
• flare-up
• furore
• rocking
• bobbery
• ruction
• bluster
• hurly-burly
• fuss
• shindy
• williwaw

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cataclysm

Nothing, not the assassination of President Kennedy, not the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, no apocalyptic film or series had prepared us for such cataclysm and chaos. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

The destruction of the ozone layer would allow hazardous ultraviolet radiation to rain down on the planet, adding to the series of climate cataclysms that would threaten civilization and most life on Earth. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Such a framework for sci-fi cataclysm is, naturally, Spielberg 101. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

The duration of the cataclysm that was thought might have almost eradicated early humans was likely about 18 months total. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2026