cataclysm

noun/ˈkætəˌklɪzəm/

Frequency rank: #17,987 most common English word

Meaning

A sudden, violent event that causes great destruction or upheaval.

Illustration for the English word “cataclysm”

Example sentence

The volcanic eruption was described as cataclysm that reshaped the entire landscape.

Synonyms & related words

Practice this word in the quiz

More words in ranks 17,901–18,000