1
as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business
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2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a calamitous flood that destroyed the town's central business district
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Recent Examples of calamitous
Obst was widely credited with rescuing the all-female Western Bad Girls (1994) — starring Madeleine Stowe, Andie MacDowell, Mary Stuart Masterson and Drew Barrymore — from an utterly calamitous shoot.
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Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
In the nine decades since, the business has witnessed a calamitous world war, a radical change in the way men dress, and a once-in-a-century pandemic.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024
In a 7-3 loss to the New York Mets in Game 2, the Dodgers’ record-tying 33-inning postseason scoreless streak ended quickly — and in calamitous fashion.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
When the history of the Biden administration gets written, the compounding crises of the past four years—the pandemic, the calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine—will feature prominently.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calamitous 
Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024
In the nine decades since, the business has witnessed a calamitous world war, a radical change in the way men dress, and a once-in-a-century pandemic.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024
In a 7-3 loss to the New York Mets in Game 2, the Dodgers’ record-tying 33-inning postseason scoreless streak ended quickly — and in calamitous fashion.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024
When the history of the Biden administration gets written, the compounding crises of the past four years—the pandemic, the calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine—will feature prominently.
—Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for calamitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calamitous
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Biden’s refusal to exit the 2024 presidential race after a disastrous initial debate performance in June kicked off a whirlwind season that gave rise to Harris.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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That unease burst into the open after Biden’s disastrous June debate performance against Trump.Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The extended stretch of freezing temperatures contributed to a devastating Lakewood apartment fire on Friday morning, which sparked around 5 a.m. by a space heater set up to keep pipes from freezing.Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2024
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The best videos, however, involve a bit of spice, with suspects literally stopped in their tracks by the power of a devastating truth.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The Colorado Springs Police Department followed closely behind Denver each year with five shootings, three fatal and two nonfatal, in 2023 and four shootings, three fatal and one nonfatal, in 2024, according to Denver Post records.Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2024
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The fatal capsizing is in the same area as Saturday’s capsizing, when a 21-foot boat with six people on board tipped over and sank.Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In recent years, however, Sedona’s storyline has taken an unfortunate (though not unwarranted) hit.Erin Strout, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
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Martin's fall came after the band had to take to social media to address an unfortunate first for the band, informing fans that bassist Guy Berryman was too ill to join them onstage for the Melbourne gig.David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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In California, a cold front could help with efforts to contain the destructive 20,630-acre Mountain Fire.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
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As its impacts grow more visible and destructive, how is this possible? Views of Hurricane Milton’s damage across Florida.Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near calamitous
Cite this Entry
“Calamitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calamitous. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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