cataclysm
US /ˈkæt̬.ə.klɪ.zəm/
UK /ˈkæt̬.ə.klɪ.zəm/
1.
a large-scale and violent event in the natural world
:
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The eruption of the supervolcano caused a global cataclysm.
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Scientists are studying ancient geological cataclysms.
2.
a sudden violent change in the political or social structure of a society
:
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The revolution was a political cataclysm that reshaped the nation.
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The economic crisis led to a social cataclysm.