Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun cataclysm

2 senses of cataclysm

Sense 1
catastrophe, cataclysm -- (a sudden violent change in the earth's surface)
       => geological phenomenon -- (a natural phenomenon involving the structure or composition of the earth)

Sense 2
calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm -- (an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster")
       => misfortune, bad luck -- (unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event)