cataclysmic
Group 17Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Relating to or denoting a violent natural event; having momentous and violent effects GRE
Example in Context
The cataclysmic eruption buried the ancient city under meters of volcanic ash, preserving it for archaeologists two millennia later.
Synonyms
disastrousdevastatingcatastrophic
Etymology
A violent event that washes down everything in its path.
- kata- (Greek) — down
- klyzein (Greek) — to wash
Memory Aid
🌪️Sounds like “cat-a-clismic”
Imagine a cat causing a CLIMAX of chaos during a CAT-A-CLISMIC tornado!
Visual Association
🌍A massive earthquake shaking the ground, sending buildings tumbling like toys.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cataclysmic” mean on the GRE?
cataclysmic (adjective) means “Relating to or denoting a violent natural event; having momentous and violent effects”. The cataclysmic eruption buried the ancient city under meters of volcanic ash, preserving it for archaeologists two millennia later.
How to remember “cataclysmic” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “cataclysmic” sounds like “cat-a-clismic”. Imagine a cat causing a CLIMAX of chaos during a CAT-A-CLISMIC tornado!
What are synonyms for “cataclysmic”?
Common synonyms: disastrous, devastating, catastrophic.