variants
or cataclysmic
1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a cataclysmal decision to plunge the nation into war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a cataclysmal landslide that virtually wiped out the village
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cataclysmal
When there are no cataclysmic floods, there are rampaging wildfires.
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Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
When a cataclysmic battle kills both He-Man (Chris Wood) and Skeletor (Mark Hamill), former enemies Teela (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Evil-Lyn (Lena Headey) must join forces to restore magic to the universe and save their dying planet.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
Overall the second season is steadily chipping away at the idea that any individual actors could actually be responsible for decisions this cataclysmic, and that’s an interesting, counterintuitive suggestion for a video-game adaptation since the experience of playing one is so singular.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
Which renders the cataclysmic decision of who Nancy might choose to snog next rather anticlimactic, and maybe even redundant.
—Charley Ross, Glamour, 29 Nov. 2025
Live, the band’s cataclysmic volume precludes close observation, and melodic detail succumbs to feedback like dust caught in an exploding star’s stratosphere.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025
Not only are the structures ancient, Donnellan argued, but there appears to be evidence of a cataclysmic event — not unheard of, as the island lies near the Azores-Gibraltar Transform Fault.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025
With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom —drawing in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler — the stage is set for a thundering, cataclysmic, compelling, and utterly magical new Norse saga.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
After a cataclysmic economic collapse ended Outfest in 2023, the team behind it unionized amid the push to come back.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysmal
Adjective
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The spotlight increased after a disastrous interview with CBS to promote the legendary coach’s book.—
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Second goal breaks Charlotte’s back The second half opened with a disastrous sequence for Charlotte.—
Adjective
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Nearly a year after the Eaton Fire ravaged Altadena, destroying thousands of homes and businesses on the way to becoming one of California's most devastating wildfires, survivors are still struggling to find ways to manage their mental health and cope with grief.—
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The devastating title essay, which recounts the death of Ward’s husband, the father of her children, on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic, is worth seeking out this collection alone.—
Adjective
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Use extra caution near the surf zone as these large waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water.—
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The story of the Platonic representation hypothesis paper began in early 2023, a turbulent time for AI researchers.—
Adjective
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Several hundred protesters gathered at First Ward Park on Thursday night in response to Wednesday’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.—
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John Mulaney has postponed three upcoming shows in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.—
Adjective
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Their late concession of the winning penalty to Morgan Gibbs-White, above, was unfortunate.—
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Many unfortunate events were blamed on poison—the unexpected death of an enslaver or a slave, a spate of local deaths due to a virus or other disease, or problems on the plantation such as ill livestock or bad harvests.—
Adjective
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He's been full throttle since he was elected governor seven years ago, leading the state through COVID-19, two school shootings, and four of the most destructive wildfires in Colorado history.—
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Adjective
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Minutes away from his position in Arcadia, reports indicated a fire had started in approximately the same place where, in 1993, another fire had brought about catastrophic consequences.—
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Stand looking out from the wide intersection of East Mariposa Street and Lake Avenue for one potent, representative view of Altadena a year after the catastrophic Eaton fire.—
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysmal. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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