as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
this latest breakdown of the car is inconvenient, but not a calamity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of calamity
That would be an economic calamity for them, and for a retiree-dominant state like Florida.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
The difference is that the Braves are 9-18 in those games and, by now, conditioned for calamity.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Promises to be full of dry banter in the face of historical upheaval and emotional calamity, which is my favorite Alameddine mode.
—Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
This approach came of age following the ecological calamity of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and remains the planet’s most successful conservation approach.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamity
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
The difference is that the Braves are 9-18 in those games and, by now, conditioned for calamity.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 8 June 2025
Promises to be full of dry banter in the face of historical upheaval and emotional calamity, which is my favorite Alameddine mode.
—Literary Hub
july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
This approach came of age following the ecological calamity of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and remains the planet’s most successful conservation approach.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for calamity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamity
Noun
-
The need for such programs often reflect the reality that most people displaced by war or disaster typically stay within their country’s region, with only a minority travelling further afield.—
Frey Lindsay,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
28 July 2025
Noun
-
Prosecutors alleged Vallow Daybell and her husband, Chad Daybell, believed an apocalypse was imminent and people around them were evil zombies.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
-
While Bowie envisioned an Earth careening toward apocalypse in a flamboyant, theatrical cry, Drake’s five leaves are quieter, lonelier — more like the end of a season than the end of a world.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
The tragedy comes after a German man, 54, also drowned on Tuesday at Cap de Sant Pere de Cambrils beach, near Llarga beach, bringing Catalan beaches’ fatalities to 16 since June 15, according to the BBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
Directed by Carlos Moreno and Claudia Pedraza, the series explores the relationship between two literature students whose shared fascination with violence leads to tragedy.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Calamity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamity. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share