cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly
: an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
Synonyms
Examples of cataclysm in a Sentence
floods, earthquakes, and other cataclysms
The country barely survived the cataclysm of war.
The revolution could result in worldwide cataclysm.
Recent Examples on the Web
According to an analysis of FEMA data, some twenty million Americans are actively preparing for cataclysm—roughly twice as many as in 2017.
—
Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Because the amount of detonating material is roughly the same for every type Ia supernova, these cosmic cataclysms all shine with a similar brightness and can be seen far beyond their host galaxy.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Now, however, a team of geologists suggests the cataclysm provided a surprising boost for early forms of life.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024
The rocks below the impact layer, predating the cataclysm, were filled with fine black layers of ancient organic carbon—the remains of gooey mats of microbes that flourished on the seafloor before being buried, squished and cooked by mundane geological processes.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cataclysm 
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Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Because the amount of detonating material is roughly the same for every type Ia supernova, these cosmic cataclysms all shine with a similar brightness and can be seen far beyond their host galaxy.
—Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Now, however, a team of geologists suggests the cataclysm provided a surprising boost for early forms of life.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024
The rocks below the impact layer, predating the cataclysm, were filled with fine black layers of ancient organic carbon—the remains of gooey mats of microbes that flourished on the seafloor before being buried, squished and cooked by mundane geological processes.
—Douglas Fox, Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cataclysm
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Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm
1
: a great flood
2
: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)
3
: a violent social or political change
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