calamitous

adjective

ca·lam·i·tous kə-ˈla-mə-təs

: being, causing, or accompanied by calamity

calamitous events

a calamitous earthquake

calamitously adverb

Example Sentences

the calamitous state of the nation's economy a calamitous decision to sell their products online exclusively ruined the business

Recent Examples on the Web Having been formally appointed by Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 6, just days before the monarch’s death, Truss is now by far the shortest-serving prime minister in British history and will be remembered as one of the most calamitous.

Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2022 Meteorologists predicted that Ian would slam into Florida’s west coast by Wednesday afternoon, unleashing calamitous floods and winds that could reach 155 miles per hour.

Danielle Paquette, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2022 One of the most potentially calamitous fronts in the war has been fighting that is raging in southern Ukraine around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which Russian forces seized early in the invasion.

Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The ensuing offseason was even more calamitous, highlighted by a weeklong university investigation regarding his treatment of players and staff.

Jacob Shames, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2022 DeSantis has brushed aside what local officials say could be calamitous consequences if Reedy Creek, which operates as its own county government, is eliminated.

Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2022 With the calamitous nature of the central romance and an elegant execution, Perry does invoke a sense of longing for what might have been for these fictional lovers in a world less hateful.

Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2022 If Russia suffers calamitous losses, Mr. Putin could resort to biological or nuclear weapons, some analysts say, though many military experts say their use doesn’t seem likely soon.

Daniel Michaels, WSJ, 16 Sep. 2022 There have always been monuments to commemorate the loss of life from calamitous events, such as the thousands of memorials dedicated to world wars, the Sept. 11 attacks, the Holocaust.

Christine Hauser, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calamitous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.