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
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
The cataclysmic flood waters rushed through Camp Mystic before sunrise on July 4.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
This cataclysmic event would have melted and thoroughly mixed the entire planet, thereby resetting its chemical composition.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 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 and utterly magical new Norse saga.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
There's also the brute force approach, triggering chains of cataclysmic explosions to get the deconstruction rolling.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
One of them was Segar, his former coworker, who was in the middle of his workday and didn’t have the bandwidth to engage with Jon’s fantasies about a cataclysmic event.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
But that is how the future always feels during times of cataclysmic conflict.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
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
The cataclysmic flood waters rushed through Camp Mystic before sunrise on July 4.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
This cataclysmic event would have melted and thoroughly mixed the entire planet, thereby resetting its chemical composition.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 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 and utterly magical new Norse saga.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
There's also the brute force approach, triggering chains of cataclysmic explosions to get the deconstruction rolling.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
One of them was Segar, his former coworker, who was in the middle of his workday and didn’t have the bandwidth to engage with Jon’s fantasies about a cataclysmic event.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
But that is how the future always feels during times of cataclysmic conflict.
—Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysmal
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The loss was unexpected and devastating.—
Autumn Barnes,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
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Kamala Harris teases 2028 presidential run, devastating Dems’ chances!—
The Hill,
The Hill,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The honesty hit home for fans who’ve watched Homa navigate a turbulent stretch.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Whether this week’s series of agreements across Asia marks the start of a broader reset—or a temporary thaw in a turbulent trade landscape—will depend on how these commitments unfold in the months ahead.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The film's production cost around $26 million and earned just $637,355 at the box office — a catastrophic flop.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides will continue through Tuesday night.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The show centers on Alex (Jason Clarke) and his wife, Maggie Murdaugh (Patricia Arquette), as their privileged world spirals following a fatal 2019 boating accident involving their son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold), that leads to more secrets emerging.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysmal. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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