variants
or cataclysmic
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a cataclysmal decision to plunge the nation into war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a cataclysmal landslide that virtually wiped out the village
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turbulent
marked by sudden or violent disturbance
the French Revolution was one of the great cataclysmal events in modern history
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysmal
Adjective
-
Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance against Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in June 2024.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
31 July 2025 -
Investors dumped Edison shares amid worries that the company would be found liable for one of the blazes, potentially draining the fund and leaving utilities without a cushion if another disastrous fire hits the state.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
This time, the duo sets their sights on transforming the home of a heroic fire captain who battled the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
28 July 2025
-
How devastating of a mistake that was made by both funeral homes.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
Flying across the country alone with my infant was far less turbulent with the right preparation.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
1 Aug. 2025
-
For Michelle, 28, knowing her long-term relationship was over—one that had started with a DM, spanned four years, and was turbulent in the way that made letting go feel impossible—came down to seeing him with someone else…in a video watched by over a million people.—
Morgan Sullivan,
Vogue,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Simmons said very few improvements have been made to the highway, even as the fatal accidents continue to happen.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
-
The 2024 case was not fatal, health department spokesperson Kimberly Harry indicated on July 28.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cataclysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysmal. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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