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
Only a species suffering from terminal main character syndrome would, when describing intimately human experiences like love, reach for the language of global cataclysm. —
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026 Then two shots straight at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then a local skirmish or two, and then cataclysm. —Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 And star-formation will continue for trillions of years, providing new lights in the sky and new chances for cataclysms like supernovae, kilonovae, and tidal disruption events. —Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
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.
Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026 Then two shots straight at the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then a local skirmish or two, and then cataclysm. —Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026 And star-formation will continue for trillions of years, providing new lights in the sky and new chances for cataclysms like supernovae, kilonovae, and tidal disruption events. —Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cataclysm
Cite this Entry
“Cataclysm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/cataclysm. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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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