catastrophic

[ kat-uh-strof-ik ]

/ ˌkæt əˈstrɒf ɪk /

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adjective

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

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Sometimes cat·a·stroph·i·cal, ca·tas·tro·phal

[kuh-tas-truh-fuhl] /kəˈtæs trə fəl/ .

Origin of catastrophic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM catastrophic

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

How to use catastrophic in a sentence

Engineer evaluations of the damage found that the structure is “in danger of a catastrophic failure” and the telescope could collapse at any moment.
The second-largest radio telescope in the world is shutting down|Neel Patel|November 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Klay Thompson's leg injury looked bad, according to two sources, but neither was ready assume catastrophic.
On quiet night for NBA draft lottery selections, Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 to Timberwolves|Ben Golliver, Des Bieler|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Of the 614,387 bridges in the US, for example, 39 percent are older than their designed lifetimes, while nearly 10 percent are structurally deficient, meaning they could begin to break down faster or, worse, be vulnerable to catastrophic failure.
Smart Concrete Could Pave the Way for High-Tech, Cost-Effective Roads|Luna Lu|November 13, 2020|Singularity Hub
Monday will mark the first anniversary of the catastrophic hip injury Tagovailoa suffered on his final collegiate play, which Tagovailoa said threatened his career.
Rookie QBs were expected to struggle this year. Instead they’re setting a record pace.|Adam Kilgore|November 12, 2020|Washington Post

If the whirlwind of catastrophic events that is 2020 sparks an improvement in the financial literacy of the next generation of young Americans, it might be one of the few positives to come out of the year.
Will the Pandemic Teach American Kids Financial Literacy?|Charu Kasturi|November 12, 2020|Ozy
“Explosive decompression” where the fuselage breaks apart suddenly and catastrophically.
Why Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Must Have Died Instantaneously|Clive Irving|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was an impossible expectation, and one that would catastrophically cloud his self-image.
11 Juiciest Bits From ‘Untouchable: The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson’|Abby Haglage|November 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Thunder have now punished themselves with two catastrophically dunderheaded late-game fouls in two games.
Miami Heat’s Victory Over OKC Thunder in Game 4 Signals Shorter Series|Jesse Singal|June 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But forget about the tertiary side characters, the main players are also saddled with catastrophically absurd stories as well.
NBC’s ‘Smash’: Weak Writing, Terrible Characters, and Painful Subplots|Jace Lacob|March 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Whatever the reason,” says Galston, “it was incomprehensible and showed catastrophically poor judgment.
Bill Clinton Schools Obama|Eleanor Clift|November 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Nor in any story of mankind has the irony of God chosen the foolish things so catastrophically to confound the wise.
A Short History of England|G. K. Chesterton
It does not follow that we shall be driven catastrophically from India.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells

catastrophic

Origin of catastrophic

OTHER WORDS FROM catastrophic

Words related to catastrophic

How to use catastrophic in a sentence