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 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
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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
These cataclysms locked inside the Delaware Basin more than 46 billion barrels of technically recoverable crude oil, and 281 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
—
Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Every play in the Century Cycle has its roots in the cataclysm of enslavement, but Joe Turner takes place with Reconstruction still close in the rearview.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Only a species suffering from terminal main character syndrome would, when describing intimately human experiences like love, reach for the language of global cataclysm.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
Every play in the Century Cycle has its roots in the cataclysm of enslavement, but Joe Turner takes place with Reconstruction still close in the rearview.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026
Only a species suffering from terminal main character syndrome would, when describing intimately human experiences like love, reach for the language of global cataclysm.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysm
Noun
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a potential for flooding, particularly in areas that are low-lying or prone to floods.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
-
The result is a relentless flood of advice that derives its authority not from expertise but from personal testimony, endlessly reinforcing the idea that your feelings are your most important parenting instrument.—
Nina Bandelj,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
The offense has been a disaster, the pitching staff has sustained some key injuries and the club has spent the first two months struggling to keep its head above water.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The Coalition to Prevent Chemical Disasters maps and tracks every chemical disaster reported by the media on its website.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The rule, adopted before the 2020 season but not implemented until this year due to the upheavals caused by the coronavirus pandemic, states that a team cannot use a position player on the mound unless there is a difference of six or more runs between the two teams.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Jennifer Garner is unpacking the 'upheaval' in family life that came from her 2015 split from ex-husband Ben Affleck.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Or was the Spurs’ low assist total a consequence of make-or-miss variance on a torrent of otherwise desirable catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
My one-bedroom suite had a bathtub in the bedroom with water that flowed from the ceiling in a torrent—an unusual and noisy way to fill a bath tub, but certainly memorable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The company was formed in the aftermath of 9/11 to sell terrorism and catastrophe property insurance.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Then there were climate catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina, the normalization of active shooter drills at their schools and a worldwide pandemic.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Iranian flags of pre-1979 revolution vintage — flags that many Iranian-Americans wave as a protest against the current regime in Tehran — are banned from the match, per FIFA.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 June 2026
-
The name almendrón comes from the Spanish word for almond, a reference to the rounded shape of the large American sedans imported before Cuba’s 1959 revolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Ironically, that outcome may lead it to threaten a market wipeout — if not apocalypse — itself.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
-
The group eventually purchased a compound in Lure, North Carolina and believed that they would be rescued from the coming apocalypse by UFOs.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 June 2026
-
More than 10 million meals had been served in the Artibonite region over the past year, said the charity, founded by Chef José Andrés in Haiti after the country’s 2010 earthquake.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysm. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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