catastrophic
causing extreme damage or destruction
Causing very big and sudden damage, loss, or harm, often affecting many people or things.
[something] is catastrophic / a catastrophic [event/result/failure]
- The dam’s catastrophic failure flooded three towns in less than an hour.
- Scientists warn that unchecked warming could have catastrophic effects on coastal cities.
- A series of catastrophic decisions by the leadership pushed the country into civil war.
- The company suffered catastrophic losses after the data breach exposed millions of customer records.
- Without urgent action, the wildfire season could become catastrophic for local communities and wildlife.
- The earthquake had catastrophic results for the city.
- If the plane engine stops, it can cause a catastrophic accident.
- Cutting all safety checks could lead to a catastrophic problem.
- The oil spill was catastrophic for sea animals.
- A catastrophic fire destroyed most of the village.
extremely bad or unsuccessful
Very, very bad or a total failure, often used as strong language to show how bad something is.
a catastrophic [mistake/performance/result]
- The team’s defense was catastrophic, and they lost 6–0.
- My presentation was catastrophic; I forgot my notes and the slides didn’t work.
- Their attempt to launch the new app without testing turned out to be a catastrophic mistake.
- The company’s first quarter was catastrophic, with sales far below expectations.
- Critics called the film a catastrophic failure at the box office.
- The exam was catastrophic for me, and I may fail the class.
- Our meeting with the client was catastrophic, and they chose another company.
- His first day at work was catastrophic because he was late and lost an important file.
- The singer’s live show was catastrophic; she forgot many of the words.
- The project became catastrophic when nobody followed the plan.
- Base: catastrophic
catastrophic climate change
1extremely severe, damaging climate change
Climate change that is so strong it causes very serious damage to life, cities, and nature around the world.
- Scientists say we must cut emissions quickly to avoid catastrophic climate change.
- The report warns of catastrophic climate change if temperatures rise more than 2°C.
- Activists marched to draw attention to the threat of catastrophic climate change.
catastrophic failure
1sudden complete breakdown of a system
A sudden and complete breakdown of a system, machine, or process, usually causing very serious problems.
- The investigation showed that a catastrophic failure in the cooling system caused the reactor shutdown.
- Engineers redesigned the software to prevent another catastrophic failure of the control unit.
- A catastrophic failure of the brakes led to the train derailment.
catastrophic injury
1very severe, often permanent injury
An injury that is so serious it causes permanent damage, such as loss of movement or brain function.
- The driver suffered a catastrophic injury to his spine and will never walk again.
- Insurance policies rarely provide full coverage for catastrophic injuries.
- The sports league updated its rules to reduce the risk of catastrophic injury on the field.
catastrophic loss
1extremely large disaster-related loss
A very large and sudden financial loss, usually caused by a disaster such as a storm, fire, or earthquake.
- The insurer set aside reserves for potential catastrophic loss from hurricanes.
- The flood caused catastrophic loss for small businesses along the river.
- Reinsurance is used to protect companies from catastrophic loss events.
catastrophic thinking
1habit of imagining the worst outcome
A way of thinking where a person always imagines the worst possible thing that could happen.
- In therapy, she worked on reducing her catastrophic thinking about work and relationships.
- Catastrophic thinking can make normal stress feel like a life-or-death situation.
- The book explains how to challenge catastrophic thinking with more realistic thoughts.