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
The computer cataclysm that never happened is now enjoying a cultural moment, whether as a sight gag in Abbott Elementary, a plot device in The Righteous Gemstones, or as the theme of a new apocalyptic comedy aptly named Y2K.
—
Zachary Loeb / Made By History, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Avatar: Seven Havens is set in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
This year’s Oscars are also taking place soon after a Los Angeles cataclysm.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025
Throughout 150 years of boosterism, through our latest cataclysm of fires, the palm tree image makes visual geolocation instant and easy.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Zachary Loeb / Made By History, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Avatar: Seven Havens is set in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
This year’s Oscars are also taking place soon after a Los Angeles cataclysm.
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025
Throughout 150 years of boosterism, through our latest cataclysm of fires, the palm tree image makes visual geolocation instant and easy.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cataclysm
Noun
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Best Option Restoration is a nationally franchised disaster restoration business that handles wind and storm damage, fire damage, flood/water damage, and contents cleanout to residential and commercial customers.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
25 Mar. 2025
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Brown saw 3 feet of water flood her home in a predominantly Black neighborhood that still shows damage from the storm.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Impact Leaders Create Stability In an age of climate risk, geopolitical tension, and technological upheaval, long-term stability matters more than short-term profits.—
Paul Klein,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Despite the upheaval of the last two months, Nomar is clear on the purpose of college in his life.—
Anna North,
Vox,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Then a torrent of leads arrived, via the Knot’s online vender portal.—
Adam Iscoe,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
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More than 180,000 residents were evacuated from Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties in February 2017 when concerns mounted that the dam’s spillway would fail, sending a torrent of water downstream.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The disaster led to passage of the Federal Coal Mine and Safety Act, which in turn added the miners' surveillance program under the respiratory health division at NIOSH.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2025
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Last month, the EU Commission urged its 450 million citizens to stockpile enough food, water and essentials for 72 hours in the event of emergencies like cyberattacks, climate disasters, disease and also geopolitical conflicts.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Political thriller The Translator (2020) explored the early days of the revolution and the decades of oppression that preceded it, through the tale of a political refugee living in Australia who returns to Syria in search of his brother after he is arrested by the authorities for protesting.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
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From climate leadership and architectural innovation to culinary revolutions and cinematic exports, Danish values are increasingly resonating worldwide.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The exquisite adaptation of the popular video game delivered a stunning first season in early 2023 that reanimated the zombie apocalypse genre.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
17 Mar. 2025
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The Bondsman never seems to know quite how seriously to take the state of Hub’s soul, or the looming possibility of apocalypse, or all the many, many deaths along the way.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Nearly 100 earthquake victims were already waiting for surgery when the team arrived.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Repairs to manufacturing units from the severe impact of the earthquake in February 2023 have been made.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The Room Next Door shares the same theme, allowing director Pedro Almodóvar to address Covid-era tragedy, much as directing team Scott McGehee and David Siegel do in The Friend.—
Armond White,
National Review,
2 Apr. 2025
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Kilmer’s passion for performing was fostered early — during an active, adventurous childhood in Chatsworth, Calif., making homemade films and plays alongside his brothers Mark and Wesley — and also shaped by tragedy.—
Kara Warner,
People.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cataclysm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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