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
On top of that, the GOP’s vaccine missteps could spark a cataclysmic, entirely preventable, midterm backlash.
—
Jerome Adams, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
The cataclysmic and often chaotic conflict cost more Israeli and Palestinian lives than any war in their history, destroyed wide swaths of the enclave, empowered Israel’s extremists who sought to settle the territory, and sharply eroded Israel’s international standing.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
That all of this is set around a rather hazy, cataclysmic time that gets relegated to the side lends it even more of a haunting power that grabs hold of you.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Picking a fail-safe in case of a cataclysmic event that wipes out everyone else dates back to the Cold War.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Although Hart and Kreutzmann remain, the disappearance of the last voice of the Dead felt cataclysmic.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
These reflective masses of relatively young material were deposited many millions of years ago during cataclysmic asteroid strikes that excavated vast basins on the lunar surface.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The treasure trove of fossils offers a rare glimpse into a cataclysmic event that brought a sudden end to the greatest explosion of life in our planet's history.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Jerome Adams, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026
The cataclysmic and often chaotic conflict cost more Israeli and Palestinian lives than any war in their history, destroyed wide swaths of the enclave, empowered Israel’s extremists who sought to settle the territory, and sharply eroded Israel’s international standing.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
That all of this is set around a rather hazy, cataclysmic time that gets relegated to the side lends it even more of a haunting power that grabs hold of you.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
Picking a fail-safe in case of a cataclysmic event that wipes out everyone else dates back to the Cold War.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Although Hart and Kreutzmann remain, the disappearance of the last voice of the Dead felt cataclysmic.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
The design is meant to reorient us, to take us on a trail walked not by humans but traversed and carved by elephants, a creature still misunderstood, vilified and hunted for its cataclysmic-like ability to reshape land, and sometimes communities.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
These reflective masses of relatively young material were deposited many millions of years ago during cataclysmic asteroid strikes that excavated vast basins on the lunar surface.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The treasure trove of fossils offers a rare glimpse into a cataclysmic event that brought a sudden end to the greatest explosion of life in our planet's history.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysmal
Adjective
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Each hot run was countered by a disastrous stretch for seemingly everyone.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
But two disastrous seasons followed that campaign, with the Hurricanes going a combined 22-41 in 2023-24 and 2024-25.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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One bad year for Arbiquina crops could be devastating for the large-scale farmers.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Members have supported communities across Texas and beyond, including relief efforts following a devastating 2023 tornado in Perryton and flooding that impacted the state last year.—
Michael Cuviello,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The former ambassador leaves the post after a turbulent, combative year at the arts institution.—
Geoff Edgers,
Washington Post,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Multiple sources have indicated the Aztecs won’t accept either and instead get started on what figures to be a turbulent offseason.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The man’s death marks Kansas City’s 24th homicide of 2026, compared to 26 at this time last year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
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According to the city's police department, the fatal accident occurred at 1990 S Flamingo Road.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The interviews themselves are informative, but unobtrusive, and the while intimate footage of Frazier and Reynolds’ personal lives paints a slightly wider picture of their circumstances, their moods in the aftermath of their unfortunate digital breakthroughs is kept largely at an arm’s length.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Juicy is in the unfortunate position of following Jane.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Residents should be prepared for all modes of severe weather, including damaging winds exceeding 70 mph, destructive hail larger than baseballs, heavy rain and the possibility of a few tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth/Dallas.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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The system is forecast to spawn strong tornadoes, destructive winds and hail the size of baseballs.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And despite volatility across markets, oil prices don’t seem to be creeping back toward catastrophic levels.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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And in some cases, going up against her has resulted in a nearly catastrophic loss in follower count.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysmal. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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