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
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
The latter are ripples in the literal fabric of spacetime itself, created by cosmic cataclysms like black holes colliding.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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
The latter are ripples in the literal fabric of spacetime itself, created by cosmic cataclysms like black holes colliding.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 8 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cataclysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysm
Noun
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Ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service issued flood watches for the Palisades, Eaton, Hughes, Franklin and Bridge fire burn scars.—
Noah Haggerty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2025
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Showers could linger into Tuesday, spawning flood watches in areas where the Palisades, Franklin, Eaton, Bridge, and Hughes wildfires burned.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Read: The GoFundMe fires In moments of tragedy or upheaval, not all Angelenos can take their freedom of mobility for granted, in part because of how Southern California infrastructure has developed over the past century.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2025
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Ten years later, the music industry would experience upheaval of its own, with the internet beginning its ascent as the primary source for music consumption, soon cratering sales of recorded music amidst the rise of online file sharing and streaming.—
Jim Ryan,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Chiefs capitalized on a torrent of Texans mistakes — eight penalties among them — and missed opportunities to slowly seize control.—
Zak Keefer,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
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The Eaton and Palisades fires destroyed at least 11 public and private schools and some 30 child-care facilities — and thousands of families have been displaced by the torrent of damage — more than 12,000 structures destroyed, including many homes.—
Kate Sequeira,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Victims can apply for other forms of disaster assistance.—
Solcyré Burga,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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As the potential new lead of the nation's federal national disaster response, Noem may also face questions about her handling of devastating floods in her state.—
Lexie Schapitl,
NPR,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Its parent company, Ocean Approved, launched this consumer brand in 2019 and is leading a quiet, underwater revolution in American agriculture.—
Heide Brandes,
thehustle.co,
24 Jan. 2025
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Author of 'Swarm Troopers: How small drones will conquer the world,' following cutting-edge military technology in general and the drone warfare revolution in particular.—
David Hambling,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Rather than address the real force multiplier behind this latest fire, and avoid a climate apocalypse, Republicans would rather make a quick buck off a recall gimmick.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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But before the dino apocalypse, the creatures were thought to be abundant in what's now the United Kingdom.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Berti also warned that aftershocks are common, and Idaho may feel additional earthquakes Monday or over the next few days.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2025
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The most recent comparable earthquake in the area struck in 2012, when a 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit Hollis Center, Maine.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The GoFundMe appeal continues to raise donations from well-wishers keen to help the family move on from the tragedy.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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All these years later, through prosperity and tragedy and a rebirth with the Chiefs, Reid has become what might be considered a coaching version of Picasso — one of the most influential and successful forces ever at their craft.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysm. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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