cataclysm

A noun referring to a sudden, violent, and large-scale event or change, often causing widespread destruction or upheaval, such as a natural disaster or a great misfortune.

ruСуществительное, обозначающее внезапное, бурное и масштабное событие или изменение, часто вызывающее массовые разрушения или потрясения, например, стихийное бедствие или большое несчастье.esSustantivo que designa un evento súbito, violento y de gran escala que causa destrucción masiva o conmoción, como un desastre natural o una gran calamidad.frNom désignant un événement soudain, violent et de grande ampleur, souvent causant des destructions massives ou des bouleversements, comme une catastrophe naturelle ou un grand malheur.deSubstantiv, das ein plötzliches, heftiges und weitreichendes Ereignis oder eine tiefgreifende Veränderung bezeichnet, oft mit massiven Zerstörungen oder Erschütterungen verbunden, etwa eine Naturkatastrophe oder ein großes Unglück.ptSubstantivo que designa um evento ou mudança súbita, violenta e de grande escala, frequentemente causando destruição em massa ou transtornos, como um desastre natural ou uma grande desgraça.zh表示突然、猛烈且规模巨大的事件或变化，常造成大规模破坏或动荡，例如自然灾害或重大灾难。arاسم يدل على حدث أو تغير مفاجئ وعنيف وواسع النطاق، كثيراً ما يسبب دماراً هائلاً أو اضطراباً شديداً، مثل كارثة طبيعية أو نكبة كبرى.

1. Geological upheaval C1 formal

   A sudden and violent physical change in the Earth's crust, such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

   • The ancient city was destroyed by a volcanic cataclysm.
   • Geologists study evidence of past cataclysms to predict future events.
   • The earthquake was a cataclysm that reshaped the coastline.

   ruГеологический катаклизмesCataclismo geológicofrCataclysme géologiquedeGeologischer KataklysmusptCataclismo geológicozh地质巨变arكارثة جيولوجية

   Synonyme: catastropheconvulsiondisasterparoxysmupheaval

2. Disastrous event C1 formal

   An event causing great and sudden damage, suffering, or loss.

   • The war was a cataclysm that affected generations.
   • The financial crash was a cataclysm for the global economy.
   • The flood was a cataclysm that left thousands homeless.

   ruКатаклизмesCataclismofrCataclysmedeKataklysmusptCataclismozh大灾难arكارثة

   Synonyme: apocalypsecalamitycatastrophedevastationdisasterholocaustruintragedyupheaval

• cataclysms plural form
• cataclysms' possessive plural form
• cataclysm's possessive singular form