cataclysm

noun

cat·​a·​clysm ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
Synonyms of cataclysm
1
: flood, deluge
2
: catastrophe sense 3a
3
: a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition
broadly : an event that brings great changes
an international economic cataclysm
cataclysmal
ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-məl How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
adjective
or cataclysmic
ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-mik How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
cataclysmically
ˌka-tə-ˈkliz-mi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of cataclysm

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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.
Barring some sort of unforeseen cataclysm, Inevitability has reared its great, shaggy head. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026 The footage previewed the impending multiversal cataclysm coming to theaters this December… in a special baseball-centric way. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2026 While that cataclysm has yet to materialize, Workday’s business has been under pressure. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 In Spaceship Earth, when a mission to avert an imminent global cataclysm goes awry, a small band of teenagers from Earth’s past and future must join forces to confront a threat as vast and mysterious as time itself. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 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

Rhymes for cataclysm

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Browse Nearby Words

cataclinal
cataclysm
cataclysmist
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Cite this Entry

“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
ˌkat-ə-ˈkliz-məl How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
adjective
or cataclysmic
-mik How to pronounce cataclysm (audio)
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