cataclysm

• Nom 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.

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.

1. Geological upheavalC1formal

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

   Cataclysme géologique

   • 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.

   Synonymescatastropheconvulsiondisasterparoxysmupheaval

2. Disastrous eventC1formal

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

   Cataclysme

   • 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.

   Synonymesapocalypsecalamitycatastrophedevastationdisasterholocaustruintragedyupheaval