cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly
: an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
Examples of cataclysm in a Sentence
floods, earthquakes, and other cataclysms
The country barely survived the cataclysm of war.
The revolution could result in worldwide cataclysm.
Recent Examples on the Web
The most violent volcanic cataclysm ever seen in our solar system has been witnessed on Jupiter’s moon Io by NASA’s Juno spacecraft, with simultaneous eruptions covering an enormous 40,400 square miles (65,000 square kilometers).
—
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Perhaps a cataclysm—an earthquake, a volcanic eruption—had driven those people away.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The story is set in the 32nd century, the same timeline that kicked off with the third season of Star Trek: Discovery, after a massive cataclysm wreaked havoc on the Federation of Planets.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The tariff schedule does not seem to have put a significant dent in growth, let alone brought about the economic cataclysm predicted by its most strident critics.
—Jude Russo, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
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Keith Cooper, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Perhaps a cataclysm—an earthquake, a volcanic eruption—had driven those people away.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
The story is set in the 32nd century, the same timeline that kicked off with the third season of Star Trek: Discovery, after a massive cataclysm wreaked havoc on the Federation of Planets.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
The tariff schedule does not seem to have put a significant dent in growth, let alone brought about the economic cataclysm predicted by its most strident critics.
—Jude Russo, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm
1
: a great flood
2
: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)
3
: a violent social or political change
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