catastrophic

Sometimes cata·strophi·cal,

[kat-uh-strof-ik]

adjective

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

   a catastrophic failure of the dam.

Other Word Forms

• catastrophically adverb
• noncatastrophic adjective
• noncatastrophically adverb
• supercatastrophic adjective
• uncatastrophic adjective
• uncatastrophically 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

A category five hurricane - those capable of catastrophic damage - has winds in excess of 157mph.

Read more on BBC

The result can be catastrophic: meltwater turns into glacial lakes which can suddenly burst.

Read more on BBC

Without Musk and his robots, Tesla’s valuation could collapse to that of today’s cash-producing businesses—a catastrophic outcome.

Read more on Barron's

The consequences are proving catastrophic for the indigenous Black population.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The effect on humans “will in all likelihood be catastrophic.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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