Synonyms

catastrophic

American

[kat-uh-strof-ik] / ˌkæt əˈstrɒf ɪk /

Sometimes catastrophical,

adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of catastrophic

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

US government officials have been warned that there could be "catastrophic" security consequences if cities hosting World Cup matches do not receive funding that has been frozen.

From BBC

They migrate thousands of kilometres to find stable sea ice during Antarctic summer to wait out what is called a "catastrophic moult" every year.

From BBC

According to research by the private consulting firm Auge, 96.4 percent of the country's small and medium-sized private businesses are feeling "severe" or "catastrophic" impacts from the fuel shortage.

From Barron's

"Whether you blame recruitment or the owners, it would be catastrophic for that club. I have heard some fans suggest going down could be the best thing. I just don't see that."

From BBC

As Manchester United's powerbrokers assessed the wreckage from a catastrophic 2024-25 campaign and tried to plot a way forward for the Old Trafford club, they had some targets to aim for.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023