calamitous

adjective

ca·​lam·​i·​tous kə-ˈla-mə-təs 

: being, causing, or accompanied by calamity

calamitous events

a calamitous earthquake

calamitously adverb

Synonyms

• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damning
• destructive
• disastrous
• fatal
• fateful
• ruinous
• unfortunate

Examples of calamitous in a Sentence

the calamitous state of the nation's economy

a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business

Recent Examples on the Web

The calamitous fall could be attributed to a number of things. —Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024

In its two most recent games, its goalkeeper, André Onana, has made calamitous clangers, leading to easy goals for the opposition. —Alex Tabet, NBC News, 15 Dec. 2024

Biden’s actions provoked discussion about his legacy and whether the calamitous final year of his presidency will ultimately define his tenure in the White House. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2024

The calamitous Cowboys shouldn’t be giving anybody more than a FG but this Giants team is nearly as bad as any that has worn the proud uniform. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French calamiteux "suffering misfortune, miserable," borrowed from Latin calamitōsus "liable to damage or disaster, afflicted by disaster, ill-starred, involving damage or disaster, ruinous," by haplology from *calamitātōsus, from calamitāt-, calamitās "disaster, misfortune, calamity" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

calamitous

adjective

ca·​lam·​i·​tous kə-ˈlam-ət-əs 

: causing or accompanied by calamity

calamitous events

calamitously adverb

calamitousness noun