Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for catastrophic

catastrophic

[ kat-uh-strof-ik ]

adjective

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

    a catastrophic failure of the dam.



Discover More

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
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophic1

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

Example Sentences

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

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.

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.

In the future, antibiotic resistance could have catastrophic consequences.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


catastrophe theorycatastrophism