as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a catastrophic tornado destroyed the hamlet's only house of worship
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catastrophic
The exec expressed remarkably few regrets over a chapter that was, by any measure, catastrophic for the bank and the women Epstein victimized.
—
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
When Gray has missed time, the results without him have been catastrophic against Miami and Texas A&M.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The Herald’s review of almost 300 pages in the BSO investigation of the deputies’ actions detailed catastrophic failures in responding to the early Sunday morning murders.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Last year’s late-season run began in late-September when Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast with its catastrophic flooding and winds.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Now, the 36-year-old grower, who inherited the generational plot from his father, can only wave his arm dejectedly at row after row of weak, spindly stems, the result of catastrophic floods that swept the South Asian nation’s agricultural heartland to a degree not experienced in three decades.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
Hurricanes far out into the ocean give forecasters the opportunity to observe the powerful heat machines without worrying about catastrophic landfalls.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Iran faces a grave threat and needs to rethink its catastrophic mismanagement of water.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Twenty-six of those people were killed in a single catastrophic shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
When Gray has missed time, the results without him have been catastrophic against Miami and Texas A&M.
—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
The Herald’s review of almost 300 pages in the BSO investigation of the deputies’ actions detailed catastrophic failures in responding to the early Sunday morning murders.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Last year’s late-season run began in late-September when Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast with its catastrophic flooding and winds.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Now, the 36-year-old grower, who inherited the generational plot from his father, can only wave his arm dejectedly at row after row of weak, spindly stems, the result of catastrophic floods that swept the South Asian nation’s agricultural heartland to a degree not experienced in three decades.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
Hurricanes far out into the ocean give forecasters the opportunity to observe the powerful heat machines without worrying about catastrophic landfalls.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Iran faces a grave threat and needs to rethink its catastrophic mismanagement of water.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Twenty-six of those people were killed in a single catastrophic shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, Texas.
—James Densley, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophic
Adjective
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Any such move before elections would likely be disastrous for Milei.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Finally, as ever, the potential for rash, impulsive decisions with disastrous long-term consequences is never out of mind with this franchise.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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There were 55 students on the school bus when the fatal crash occurred, none of whom were injured, police said.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To lose Livramento and Hall at the same time is unfortunate and has left Newcastle stretched down the defensive flanks, but letting Targett go was the right decision.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The track record in Jacksonville is a series of unfortunate events, and that hasn’t been because of the record.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophic. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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