Synonyms of catastrophic

catastrophic

adjective

as in disastrous

bringing about ruin or misfortune

a catastrophic tornado destroyed the hamlet's only house of worship

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disastrous
• fatal
• unfortunate
• destructive
• calamitous
• ruinous
• fateful
• damning
• apocalyptic
• cataclysmal
• adverse
• damaging
• detrimental
• harmful
• deleterious
• hapless
• injurious
• pernicious
• luckless
• evil
• baneful
• ill-fated
• prejudicial
• ill-starred
• hurtful
• noxious
• baleful
• ill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fortuitous
• happy
• fortunate
• lucky
• providential
• fluky
• promising
• optimistic
• fair
• golden
• hopeful
• bright
• rosy
• encouraging
• propitious
• auspicious
• upbeat
• heartening
• rose-colored

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of catastrophic

There were also calls for Congressional oversight hearings on AI’s catastrophic risks. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun urged Washington to stop expanding its military footprint off the planet, warning against a catastrophic space arms race. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

Because astronauts are typically middle-aged men and women, Levine said, the most likely cause of a catastrophic medical problem would be a cardiovascular event. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 15 Sep. 2026

As researchers warn that artificial intelligence could pose catastrophic risks, some of the pioneers who helped develop the technology are weighing in with additional warnings on the dangers of unfettered advances in capability. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

And humans have successfully controlled other technologies with catastrophic power, such as biological and nuclear weapons, through cooperation. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Victims of those first catastrophic Northern California wildfires, though, have been less able to move on. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Coverage generally targets the parts most likely to cause a catastrophic bill. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026

That’s all before even addressing Porsche’s catastrophic sales numbers marking the iconic automaker’s worst year since 2009. — Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026