Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

cataclysm

[kat-uh-kliz-uhm]

noun

  1. any violent upheaval, especially one of a social or political nature.

  2. Physical Geography.a sudden and violent physical action producing changes in the earth's surface.

  3. an extensive flood; deluge.



cataclysm

/ ˈæəˌɪə /

noun

  1. a violent upheaval, esp of a political, military, or social nature

  2. a disastrous flood; deluge

  3. geology another name for catastrophe

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ˌٲˈ adjective
  • ˌٲˈally adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataclysm1

1625–35; < Late Latin cataclysmos (Vulgate) < Greek 첹ٲó flood (akin to 첹ٲý𾱲 to flood), equivalent to kata- cata- + ó a washing
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataclysm1

C17: via French from Latin, from Greek kataklusmos deluge, from katakluzein to flood, from kluzein to wash
Discover More

Synonym Study

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dyer’s father was traumatized by the austerity of growing up in England between two military cataclysms, and his daily satisfaction is bound in his ability to pinch pences.

From

We, on the other hand, will be long gone by then, shriveled by some far more minor cataclysm like the fragile little primates we are.

From

For me and many others, it’s impossible to consider Dec. 18, 2021 as anything more than a cataclysm that could have and should have been prevented.

From

Throughout 150 years of boosterism, through our latest cataclysm of fires, the palm tree image makes visual geolocation instant and easy.

From

But experts caution that the latest quakes don’t provide any additional clarity on the potential timing of such a cataclysm.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


cataclinalcataclysmic