catastrophic
word
Definition
Something that is catastrophic causes great damage, destruction, or suffering. It describes a very bad or disastrous event.
Usage & Nuances
'Catastrophic' is formal, often used in news, science, or dramatic situations (e.g., 'catastrophic failure'). It is stronger than 'bad' or 'serious', and is not used for minor problems. Common collocations are 'catastrophic event', 'catastrophic damage', and 'catastrophic consequences'.
Example Sentences
The earthquake caused catastrophic damage to the city.
basic
A catastrophic flood destroyed many homes.
basic
The power failure had catastrophic effects on the hospital.
basic
Losing all the data would be catastrophic for our business.
natural
The oil spill turned out to be catastrophic for wildlife in the area.
natural
If the project fails now, the consequences could be catastrophic.
natural