CATASTROPHIC: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for CATASTROPHIC?

Need another word that means the same as “catastrophic”? Find 19 synonyms and 30 related words for “catastrophic” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Catastrophic” are: ruinous, destructive, disastrous, calamitous, cataclysmic, tragic, fatal, dire, awful, terrible, dreadful, black, woeful, grievous, lamentable, miserable, unfortunate, devastating, violent

Catastrophic as an Adjective

Definitions of "Catastrophic" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “catastrophic” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

  • Extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin.
  • Relating to geological catastrophism.
  • Extremely unfortunate or unsuccessful.
  • Involving a sudden and large-scale alteration in state.
  • Involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering.

Synonyms of "Catastrophic" as an adjective (19 Words)

awfulInspiring awe or admiration or wonder.
You look awful you should go and lie down.
blackRelating to black people.
His shirt was black within an hour.
calamitousHaving extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin.
Such calamitous events as fires hurricanes and floods.
cataclysmic(of a natural event) large-scale and violent.
Cataclysmic nuclear war.
destructiveCausing destruction or much damage.
Destructive criticism.
devastatingPhysically or spiritually devastating often used in combination.
She had a devastating wit.
dire(of a warning or threat) presaging disaster.
He was in dire need of help.
disastrousHaving extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin.
United made a disastrous start to the season.
dreadfulExceptionally bad or displeasing.
A dreadful storm.
fatalControlled or decreed by fate; predetermined.
There were three fatal flaws in the strategy.
grievousCausing or marked by grief or anguish.
His death was a grievous blow.
lamentable(of an event, action, or attitude) unfortunate; regrettable.
The lamentable friends trailing their long black garments.
miserableCausing unhappiness or discomfort.
His miserable treatment of his family.
ruinousDisastrous or destructive.
A ruinous course of action.
terribleExtreme in degree or extent or amount or impact.
Terrible handwriting.
tragicRelating to tragedy in a literary work.
The fact that they are so loved up reminds me just how spectacularly tragic my life is.
unfortunateNot favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune.
An unfortunate turn of events.
violentMarked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions inclined to react violently fervid.
A violent attack.
woefulVery bad; deplorable.
The remark was enough to establish his woeful ignorance about the theatre.

Usage Examples of "Catastrophic" as an adjective

  • The body undergoes catastrophic collapse towards the state of a black hole.
  • A catastrophic earthquake.
  • Catastrophic mismanagement of the economy.
  • Catastrophic illness.
  • A catastrophic depression.

Associations of "Catastrophic" (30 Words)

bankruptcyA state of complete lack of some abstract property.
Spiritual bankruptcy.
calamitousHaving extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin.
Such calamitous events as fires hurricanes and floods.
causticA caustic substance.
Caustic jokes about political assassination talk show hosts and medical ethics.
conflagrationA very intense and uncontrolled fire.
Tinder dry conditions sparked fears of a conflagration in many drought devastated communities.
corrodeBecome destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid.
The acid corroded the metal.
corrosiveA corrosive substance.
The corrosive effects of salt water.
crushingCausing overwhelming disappointment or embarrassment.
The news came as a crushing blow.
damageSuffer or be susceptible to damage.
The car was badly damaged in the accident.
deadlyHaving a rapid course and violent effect.
His voice was cold and deadly.
deconstructAnalyse a text or linguistic or conceptual system by deconstruction.
I want to deconstruct this myth that poverty breeds crime.
desolate(of a place) uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness.
The droughts that desolated the dry plains.
destructiveCausing destruction or much damage.
Destructive criticism.
devastateCause (someone) severe and overwhelming shock or grief.
He was devastated by his grief when his son died.
devastatingPhysically or spiritually devastating often used in combination.
A devastating hurricane.
disastrousHaving extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin.
A disastrous fire swept through the museum.
erosiveOf a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action.
The erosive effects of waves on the shoreline.
failureAn event that does not accomplish its intended purpose.
An economic policy that is doomed to failure.
fatalControlled or decreed by fate; predetermined.
A fatal series of events.
harmfulCausing or likely to cause harm.
Harmful effects of smoking.
iconoclasmThe action of attacking or assertively rejecting cherished beliefs and institutions or established values and practices.
iconoclasticCriticizing or attacking cherished beliefs or institutions.
An iconoclastic filmmaker who has pushed the boundaries with every film he s made.
injuriousCausing or likely to cause damage or harm.
Food which is injurious to health.
lethalVery harmful or destructive.
Lethal weapon.
mournfulFeeling, expressing, or inducing sadness, regret, or grief.
Stared with mournful eyes.
patheticRelating to the emotions.
He s a pathetic excuse for a man.
ruinousDisastrous or destructive.
The cost of their ransom might be ruinous.
stiflingMaking one feel constrained or oppressed.
The stifling atmosphere.
tragicSuffering extreme distress or sorrow.
She wears tragic cardigans usually done up the wrong way.
unfortunateNot indicating a good chance of success; inauspicious.
Those unfortunates whose lives are marred by poverty.
vitriolicFilled with bitter criticism or malice.
Vitriolic attacks on the politicians.

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