cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm 
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly
: an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
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
The film begins, as usual, with a vision of cataclysm: a Space Needle–esque building that both collapses and explodes.
—
David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Produced and directed by Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn, the film is about the financial cataclysm that hit New York City in 1975, when the powers that be figured out that the city was $6 billion in debt.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
In the real world, though, the cataclysm can come in on little cat feet.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The effect can't be explained by lava temperatures alone, but rather a different event from the cataclysm.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
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David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025
Produced and directed by Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn, the film is about the financial cataclysm that hit New York City in 1975, when the powers that be figured out that the city was $6 billion in debt.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Apr. 2025
In the real world, though, the cataclysm can come in on little cat feet.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
The effect can't be explained by lava temperatures alone, but rather a different event from the cataclysm.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cataclysm
noun
cat·a·clysm
ˈkat-ə-ˌkliz-əm
1
: a great flood
2
: a violent and destructive natural event (as an earthquake)
3
: a violent social or political change
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