catastrophic

[ kat-uh-strof-ik ]

/ ˌkæt əˈstrɒf ɪk /

of the nature of a catastrophe, or disastrous event; calamitous: a catastrophic failure of the dam.

Nearby words

Sometimes cat·a·stroph·i·cal, ca·tas·tro·phal [kuh-tas-truh-fuh l] /kəˈtæs trə fəl/.

Related forms

cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·cat·a·stroph·ic, adjectivenon·cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·cat·a·stroph·ic, adjective

un·cat·a·stroph·ic, adjectiveun·cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

In the future, antibiotic resistance could have catastrophic consequences.
Without Education, Antibiotic Resistance Will Be Our Greatest Health Crisis|Russell Saunders|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The result has been catastrophic for the poor and working poor.
The Liberal Case Against Illegal Immigration|Doug McIntyre|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
TBIs can range anywhere from a mild concussion to catastrophic, fatal damage.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury|Jean Kim|November 20, 2014|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.
Living in Louisiana’s Tragic Health-Care Limbo|Linda Marsa|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The potential economic consequences that could arise from a travel ban on West Africa, says Eisenbarth, could be catastrophic.
They May Sound Like a Good Idea, But Travel Bans for Ebola Won’t Work|Abby Haglage|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In any of these cases, the price of indifference would be catastrophic.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006|Various
The wisest expert can but guess at the time or place of its catastrophic explosion.
The Clarion|Samuel Hopkins Adams
The war and its activities, its stern claims, its catastrophic events had taken possession of the girl's whole soul.
The Major|Ralph Connor
Then came our catastrophic Armistice Day blizzard, the most severe test of hardiness and adaptability ever to occur in the north.
Growing Nuts in the North|Carl Weschcke
From the physiological and psychological point of view, the factory system has been nothing less than catastrophic.
The Pivot of Civilization|Margaret Sanger