1
as in flood
a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms
an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in catastrophe
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in upheaval
a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)
a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cataclysm
This year’s Oscars are also taking place soon after a Los Angeles cataclysm.
—
Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025
Throughout 150 years of boosterism, through our latest cataclysm of fires, the palm tree image makes visual geolocation instant and easy.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Over the last several decades, various types of natural disasters have wreaked havoc around the U.S., but which cataclysms have cost the most?
—Alex Nitzberg, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Scientists are working hard to analyze the role climate change may have played in the cataclysm.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025
Throughout 150 years of boosterism, through our latest cataclysm of fires, the palm tree image makes visual geolocation instant and easy.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Over the last several decades, various types of natural disasters have wreaked havoc around the U.S., but which cataclysms have cost the most?
—Alex Nitzberg, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
Scientists are working hard to analyze the role climate change may have played in the cataclysm.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysm
Noun
-
During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Mar. 2025
-
When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The long-term ramifications of these cuts remain to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Department of Education is facing a period of significant upheaval.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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Jane was a devout Protestant at a time of religious upheaval, the ultimate innocent victim of the chicanery of the Tudor court in the chaotic aftermath of Henry VIII’s reign.—
Pan Pylas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But for those unwilling to venture out to see the movie, Forbes reported, the temptation to find leaks and torrents apparently became hard to resist.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
7 Mar. 2025
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In marrying into, then blowing the whistle on, the British monarchy, Meghan has both inspired love and hope and fangirls and been targeted with hate, including a torrent of racist, sexist abuse from the British tabloids and gross commentary from President Trump.—
Michelle Ruiz,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
However, almost everyone agrees that a closer examination is needed after the disaster at DCA.—
Zach Wichter,
USA TODAY,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine shocked the world, contaminating regions across Eastern Europe and affecting millions.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The New Year That Never Came, a drama about the Romanian revolution of 1989, written and directed by Bogdan Muresanu, won the Grand Prix, the top prize, at the 15th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival (LuxFilmFest) on Saturday.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Between the lines: A few years into the generative AI revolution, experts are split on how imminent these threats are.—
Sam Sabin,
Axios,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As the game’s writer and creative director, Druckmann was the lead architect of its astonishing story of grief and trauma amid a zombie apocalypse.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
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Post-rationalists, by contrast, take a range of attitudes toward that approaching apocalypse.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
According to the manufacturer, it’s rated for earthquakes up to level 8 and wind up to level 10.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2025
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Friday, no earthquakes had been reported in Marshville in at least the past 25 years, USGS data shows.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In the first section of the book, Franklin repeatedly brings historical analysis, primary sources and Anne Frank’s writing into juxtaposition with each other in a way that both illuminates Anne Frank as an individual and the larger tragedy of the Holocaust.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
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The case was the first to establish a link between toxic waste in the atmosphere and birth defects, and the show follows the story of four mothers dealing with the tragedy.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to cataclysm
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysm. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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