Cataclysm — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm/ cat·a·clysm

Meaning & Definition of Cataclysm

Cataclysm (noun)

  1. flood, deluge
  2. catastrophe
  3. a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; broadly, an event that brings great changes

Cataclysm (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a great flow of water or of something that overwhelms

    "an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible"

    similar: alluvion, bath, cataract, deluge, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent
    related: current, river, stream, tide, cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring, flux, inflow, influx, engulfment, washout, avalanche, blizzard, cascade, waterfall, excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus
    opposite: drought
    near: dribble, drip, trickle

  2. a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction

    "the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded"

    similar: apocalypse, calamity, catastrophe, debacle, disaster, tragedy
    related: bloodbath, collapse, crash, meltdown, Armageddon, doomsday, end-time, convulsion, paroxysm, upheaval, accident, casualty, fatality, misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap, blast, blow, double whammy, one-two
    near: godsend, manna, windfall

  3. a violent disturbance (as of the political or social order)

    "a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order"

    similar: bouleversement, convulsion, earthquake, paroxysm, storm, tempest, tumult, upheaval, uproar
    related: insurgency, insurrection, mutiny, overthrow, overturn, rebellion, revolt, revolution, subversion, unrest, uprising, upset, fit, seizure, spasm, eruption, flare-up, outbreak, outburst, bluster, bobbery, bustle, coil, commotion, furor, furore, fuss, hubbub, hullabaloo, hurly-burly, pandemonium, rout, row, ruckus, ruction, rumpus, shindy, squall, stew, stir, to-do, turmoil, welter, williwaw, quaking, rocking, shaking, trembling

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cataclysm

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cataclysm:

alluvion, bath, cataract, deluge, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, spate, torrent, apocalypse, calamity, catastrophe, debacle, disaster, tragedy, bouleversement, convulsion, earthquake, paroxysm, storm, tempest, tumult, upheaval, uproar

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Cataclysm

Words with the opposite meaning of Cataclysm:

drought

Related Words for Cataclysm

current, river, stream, tide, cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring, flux, inflow, influx, engulfment, washout, avalanche, blizzard, cascade, waterfall, excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus

Near Antonyms of Cataclysm

dribble, drip, trickle, godsend, manna, windfall

Word Forms of Cataclysm

Derived words: cataclysmal (adjective), cataclysmically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Cataclysm

French cataclysme, from Latin cataclysmos, from Greek kataklysmos, from kataklyzein to inundate, from kata- + klyzein to wash clyster

First known use: 1599

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cataclysm

Frequently Asked Questions about Cataclysm

What does "Cataclysm" mean?

"Cataclysm" means flood, deluge. As a noun, it is defined as: flood, deluge. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cataclysm"?

Other words for "Cataclysm" include alluvion, bath, cataract, deluge, flood, flood tide, inundation and Niagara. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cataclysm" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cataclysm"?

There are 122 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cataclysm". Common alternatives include alluvion, bath, cataract, deluge, flood, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow and spate.

What is the opposite of "Cataclysm"?

Antonyms of "Cataclysm" include drought. Near antonyms include dribble, drip, trickle and godsend.

How do you use "Cataclysm" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cataclysm" in a sentence: "an ancient cataclysm that may have been the basis for the Flood described in the Bible"; "the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755, killing 30,000 people, was one of the greatest cataclysms ever recorded"; "a social cataclysm that gave rise to a new world order".

Is "Cataclysm" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cataclysm" is a noun.

Is "Cataclysm" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Cataclysm" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cataclysm"?

"Cataclysm" is pronounced /ˈka-tə-ˌkli-zəm/ and divided into syllables as cat·a·clysm.