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calamity

ca·lam·i·ty [ kə-ˈla-mə-tē]

calamity

noun

[kə-ˈla-mə-tē]

plural calamities

Definition of calamity

1 : a disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering
//calamities of nature an economic calamity

2 : a state of deep distress or misery caused by major misfortune or loss

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms

Recent Examples on the Web

//The data from White Pond are, however, consistent with the growing body of evidence that a comet or asteroid collision caused continent-scale environmental calamity 12,800 years ago, via vast burning and a brief impact winter.
— Christopher R. Moore, The Conversation, "New evidence that an extraterrestrial collision 12,800 years ago triggered an abrupt climate change for Earth," 22 Oct. 2019
//Ms Patel’s job is to reverse that unexpected political calamity.
— The Economist, "Letting Priti Patel lead Britain’s law-and-order agenda is risky," 19 Oct. 2019
//For many Porter Ranch residents, measuring the years is also about tallying calamity.
— Los Angeles Times, "For Porter Ranch, Saddleridge fire is the latest disaster on a growing list," 12 Oct. 2019
//Architects need to know how strong the stone is to know how heavy the cathedral’s new roof and spire can be — without risking further calamity.
— Washington Post, "Broken angels: Inside the lab working to restore Notre Dame," 11 Oct. 2019
//Individual calamities from Aurier and Lloris very nearly cost them.
— SI.com, "Tottenham 2-1 Southampton: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Harry Kane Is the Hero Once Again," 28 Sep. 2019
//Geomagnetic storms are caused by sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections, resulting in calamities to which our modern technological society is becoming ever more susceptible.
— Jonathan O'callaghan, Scientific American, "New Studies Warn of Cataclysmic Solar Superstorms," 24 Sep. 2019
//Whether the events presage an economic calamity or just an alarming spasm are unclear.
— Anchorage Daily News, "Stock losses deepen as key recession warning surfaces," 14 Aug. 2019
//Whether the events presage an economic calamity or just an alarming spasm are unclear.
— Damian Paletta, oregonlive.com, "Dow plunges 800 points as recession fears mount," 14 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of calamity

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for calamity

Middle English calamytey, from Latin calamitat-, calamitas; perhaps akin to Latin clades destruction

Dictionary Entries near calamity

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofcalamity

Synonyms & Antonyms of calamity

a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction

this latest breakdown of the car is inconvenient, but not a calamity

Synonyms for calamity

Words Related to calamity

Near Antonyms for calamity

More Definitions forcalamity

calamity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of calamity

formal : an event that causes great harm and suffering

calamity

noun

ca·lam·i·ty | \ kə-ˈla-mə-tē \

plural calamities

Kids Definition of calamity

1 : great distress or misfortune
//… he felt oppressed by the vague sense of impending calamity.— Jack London, The Call of the Wild

2 : an event that causes great harm and suffering : disaster