catastrophic

[ kat-uh-strof-ik ]

adjective

1. of the nature of a catastrophe, or disastrous event; calamitous:

   a catastrophic failure of the dam.

Other Words From

• cata·strophi·cal·ly adverb
• noncat·a·strophic adjective
• noncat·a·strophi·cal·ly adverb
• super·cata·strophic adjective
• uncat·a·strophic adjective
• uncat·a·strophi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophic¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from Greek katastrophikós, equivalent to catastroph(e) ( def ) + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

Sparks and molten metal can land on a welder’s hands resulting in instant and catastrophic burns.

From Popular-Science

The American intelligence community had no idea about the catastrophic consequences that were about to enshroud our country.

From Vox

It is a sobering journey, one that warns of catastrophic surprises that may be in store.

From Singularity Hub 

The catastrophic events of the past year have not shaken Collins’ beliefs.

From Time

As America faces the potential for catastrophic coronavirus spikes fueled by highly infectious variants, public health authorities remain wary of imposing the stricter measures adopted by other nations.

From Washington Post

In the future, antibiotic resistance could have catastrophic consequences.

From The Daily Beast

Most of them have insurance, and only a small percentage face catastrophic illness.

From The Daily Beast

The result has been catastrophic for the poor and working poor.

From The Daily Beast

TBIs can range anywhere from a mild concussion to catastrophic, fatal damage.

From The Daily Beast

This is a catastrophic financial issue for everyone in the band,” Lee tells me, “and for just about all the musicians I know.

From The Daily Beast

There was a sudden catastrophic whooshing roar and, wham, a tree took flame for roots.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes they dealt catastrophic blows to the center of Leptar's government and religion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Mosaic cosmogony is, in this sense, catastrophic, because it assumes the operation of extranatural power.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a spell, a hush over the world, to be broken by God-knew-what gentle awakening of activity, or catastrophic disturbance.

From Project Gutenberg

But this much I can say: the catastrophic results of that man's actions could not have been worse if he had been a saboteur.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calamitous
• cataclysmic
• disastrous
• fatal
• ruinous
• tragic