cataclysm

noun

cat·​a·​clysm ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
1
2
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly : an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
cataclysmal adjective
or cataclysmic
cataclysmically adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In summary, the scale of the national debt to worry about, is only 30% of the size of the topline number we all get bombarded with as the agent of the next economic cataclysm. Clem Chambers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 In echoes of what contemporary Americans would face with Y2K 117 years later, some people feared the time change would bring a cataclysm. Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2024 There will be serious Democratic infighting The result is a cataclysm for Democrats. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024 That is a popular question among a cohort of Americans who are convinced of a coming cataclysm between violent factions in the country—and who are readying themselves for it. Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cataclysm 

Word History

Etymology

French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmos, from Greek kataklysmos, from kataklyzein to inundate, from kata- + klyzein to wash — more at clyster

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cataclysm was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near cataclysm

Cite this Entry

“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cataclysm

noun
cat·​a·​clysm ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
1
: a great flood
2
: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)
3
: a violent social or political change
cataclysmal adjective
or cataclysmic

More from Merriam-Webster on cataclysm

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