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Catastrophic vs Cataclysmal - What's the difference?

catastrophic | cataclysmal |

As adjectives the difference between catastrophic and cataclysmal

is that catastrophic is of or pertaining to a catastrophe while cataclysmal is as destructive as a cataclysm.

catastrophic

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to a catastrophe.
  • Disastrous; ruinous.
  • * 2009 : Stuart Heritage], [http://www.hecklerspray.com/ Hecklerspray] , Friday the 22nd of May in 2009 at 1 o’clock p.m., “[http://www.hecklerspray.com/jon-kate-latest-people-you-dont-know-do-crap-you-dont-care-about/200934378.php Jon & Kate Latest: People You Don’t Know Do Crap You Don’t Care About”
    • The reason why Jon & Kate Plus 8'' is such a hot topic is because it might all be a sham. It’s been claimed that Jon has a string of mistresses, that Kate had an affair with her bodyguard and that Baby Number Six''' is actually a shaved Ewok with a ' catastrophic heroin addiction. Or something.

    Synonyms

    * catastrophal

    Antonyms

    * anastrophic

    cataclysmal

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • As destructive as a cataclysm.
  • * 1861 Richard Owen - Palaeontology Or A Systematic Summary of Extinct Animals and Their Geological Relations
    • That they have been exterminated by exceptional cataclysmal changes of the earth's surface has not been proved.

    Synonyms

    * cataclysmic