as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a catastrophic tornado destroyed the hamlet's only house of worship
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Recent Examples of catastrophic
This sympathetic surge is caused by the release of noradrenaline, which, in the context of cancer, has catastrophic consequences.
—
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Jerome Powell, the Fed’s current chair, made a choice to avert a catastrophic economic crash during the COVID-19 pandemic, accepting the risk of a bout of inflation.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
For nearly two months, Mayor Karen Bass has repeatedly denied that she was involved in altering an after-action report on the Palisades fire to downplay failures by the city and the Los Angeles Fire Department in combating the catastrophic blaze.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
When children absorb the message that failure is catastrophic, even minor mistakes can feel unbearable.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Below $50,000, and miners could be forced to close up shop, accompanied by a catastrophic sell-off for precious metals like gold.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
And that’s got to come with a catastrophic amount of guilt.
—Jack King, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
As wildfire-prone regions continue to get drier and warmer, Kenney said utilities are increasingly using the strategy to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
Days later, Padilla Vélez suffered a catastrophic stroke caused by a bullet fragment and died, according to the outlets.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2026
Jerome Powell, the Fed’s current chair, made a choice to avert a catastrophic economic crash during the COVID-19 pandemic, accepting the risk of a bout of inflation.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
For nearly two months, Mayor Karen Bass has repeatedly denied that she was involved in altering an after-action report on the Palisades fire to downplay failures by the city and the Los Angeles Fire Department in combating the catastrophic blaze.
—Paul Pringle, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
When children absorb the message that failure is catastrophic, even minor mistakes can feel unbearable.
—Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Below $50,000, and miners could be forced to close up shop, accompanied by a catastrophic sell-off for precious metals like gold.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
And that’s got to come with a catastrophic amount of guilt.
—Jack King, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
As wildfire-prone regions continue to get drier and warmer, Kenney said utilities are increasingly using the strategy to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2026
Days later, Padilla Vélez suffered a catastrophic stroke caused by a bullet fragment and died, according to the outlets.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophic
Adjective
-
However, despite his thin background, when the financial crisis of that decade broke out, Warsh was by all accounts knowledgeable and effective in the Fed’s efforts to prevent a disastrous meltdown of financial markets.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Political commentator Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and first-time candidate, made the argument to viewers that California’s problems have been caused by the disastrous policies of the people who have been in power during 16 years of one-party – Democratic party – rule.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Nanos previously said Nancy Guthrie did not leave the home by herself, pointing to her limited mobility and a health condition that could prove to be fatal if the necessary medication was not taken within 24 hours.—
Julia Bonavita , Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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For years, Malibu has been working to reduce road deaths on PCH, though the fatal incidents stretch beyond the city’s borders.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The two recent deaths in Minneapolis are an unfortunate result of less-then-peaceful protesting.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The 2025 August slide from the Padre with the biggest contract was especially unfortunate as the Padres (16-12 in August) were unable to fully capitalize on the Dodgers’ struggles (15-13 in August) to overtake them in the NL West.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophic. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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