variants
or cataclysmic
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a cataclysmal decision to plunge the nation into war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a cataclysmal landslide that virtually wiped out the village
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
the French Revolution was one of the great cataclysmal events in modern history
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cataclysmal
Rather than find the extraordinary in their pasts to explain their crimes, he was forced to conclude that no such demonic forces or cataclysmic motives need exist.
—
NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom —drawing in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler — the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling, and utterly magical new Norse saga.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
After a cataclysmic economic collapse ended Outfest in 2023, the team behind it unionized amid the push to come back.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Virginia’s Thornton brothers left on a sour note in the late aughts during a middling run of too-slick singles and a cataclysmic drug bust in the inner circle.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, also felt the cataclysmic impacts of Melissa.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The cataclysmic stock market bust after the unprecedented high share prices of the Roaring Twenties plunged the world into the Great Depression.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That worsening tensions could spiral into cataclysmic war is now all too imaginable.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
This cul-de-sac at the end of civilization feels like a physical manifestation of the loneliness Carol radiates even before the cataclysmic incident.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom —drawing in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler — the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling, and utterly magical new Norse saga.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
After a cataclysmic economic collapse ended Outfest in 2023, the team behind it unionized amid the push to come back.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Virginia’s Thornton brothers left on a sour note in the late aughts during a middling run of too-slick singles and a cataclysmic drug bust in the inner circle.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, also felt the cataclysmic impacts of Melissa.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The cataclysmic stock market bust after the unprecedented high share prices of the Roaring Twenties plunged the world into the Great Depression.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 28 Oct. 2025
That worsening tensions could spiral into cataclysmic war is now all too imaginable.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
This cul-de-sac at the end of civilization feels like a physical manifestation of the loneliness Carol radiates even before the cataclysmic incident.
—Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysmal
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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After a devastating fire leveled the popular Auburn Cafe in Ecorse, a new iteration − the Auburn Taverna − is now open in Wyandotte, a few miles further downriver and inside the former Bobcat Bonnie's space.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Maui also made the list for 2026, as the Hawaiian island has proved its resilience since the devastating 2023 wildfires and has continued to rebuild.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, marking the end of a turbulent tenure defined by bold moves, fan unrest, and a season that spiraled after the controversial Luka Dončić trade.—
Andy Scholes,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Prewitt, who has led IFTA and the AFM through some of the most turbulent years in the history of independent film — through the rise of streaming and the collapse of the theatrical market, the COVID shutdowns and the dual strikes — will be stepping down after this year’s AFM.—
Kevin Cassidy,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Yet a drumbeat of Mamdani’s past statements about Israel did not prove politically fatal in New York City in 2025.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
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The special explores theories about why the thieves targeted specific displays, who orchestrated this brazen operation and which fatal flaws in their plan ultimately led to their capture.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Liverpool were competitive in the first half, and perhaps unfortunate to see Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser ruled out for interference from an offside position, but City pressed home their advantage through the brilliance of left-winger Jeremy Doku.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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The story takes place at a grand country house where the guests have an unfortunate habit of dying, or nearly dying, under seemingly unrelated circumstances.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In September, Typhoon Ragasa brought destructive winds and torrential rain to the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China as the strongest storm in the region this year.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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While Indonesia’s latest quakes did not generate tsunami alerts, past events have shown that similar offshore earthquakes can trigger destructive waves.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Drone footage showed catastrophic flooding that turned streets into rivers, submerged homes and overturned cars as Typhoon Kalmaegi, known locally as Tino, dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in only 24 hours in some areas.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, this approach defeats the primary purpose of insurance, which is to protect against catastrophic costs in the event of an unexpected medical crisis.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysmal. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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