'Cataclysm' definitions:
Definition of 'cataclysm'
(from WordNet)
noun
A sudden violent change in the earth's surface [syn: catastrophe, cataclysm]
noun
An event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster" [syn: calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm]
Definition of 'Cataclysm'
From: GCIDE
- Cataclysm \Cat"a*clysm\, n. [L. cataclysmos, Gr. kataklysmo`s, from ? to dash over, inundate; kata` downward, against + ? to wash or dash over: cf. F. cataclysme.]
- 1. An extensive overflow or sweeping flood of water; a deluge. [1913 Webster]
- 2. (Geol.) Any violent catastrophe, involving sudden and extensive changes of the earth's surface. [1913 Webster] Cataclysmal
Synonyms of 'cataclysm'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accident,
- alluvion,
- alluvium,
- apoplexy,
- bloodless revolution,
- blow,
- bouleversement,
- breakdown,
- breaking up,
- breakup,
- calamity,
- casualty,
- cataract,
- catastrophe,
- cave,
- cave-in,
- clean slate,
- clean sweep,
- climax,
- collapse,
- collision,
- computer revolution,
- contretemps,
- convulsion,
- counterrevolution,
- crack-up,
- crash,
- debacle,
- deluge,
- diastrophism,
- disaster,
- engulfment,
- fit,
- flood,
- flooding,
- grief,
- ill hap,
- inundation,
- misadventure,
- mischance,
- misfortune,
- mishap,
- nasty blow,
- overflow,
- overflowing,
- overrunning,
- overthrow,
- overturn,
- palace revolution,
- paroxysm,
- pileup,
- pour,
- quake,
- radical change,
- revolt,
- revolution,
- revolutionary war,
- revulsion,
- shipwreck,
- shock,
- smash,
- smashup,
- spasm,
- spate,
- spill,
- spillage,
- staggering blow,
- striking alteration,
- stroke,
- submersion,
- subversion,
- sweeping change,
- tabula rasa,
- technological revolution,
- temblor,
- the Deluge,
- the Flood,
- tidal wave,
- torrent,
- total change,
- total loss,
- tragedy,
- transilience,
- tsunami,
- upheaval,
- upset,
- violent change,
- washout,
- whelming,
- wrack,
- wreck