catastrophic

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cata|stroph|ic /k'ætəstr'ɒfɪk/
1 [ADJ]
Something that is catastrophic involves or causes a sudden terrible disaster.
A tidal wave caused by the earthquake hit the coast causing catastrophic damage...
The water shortage in this country is potentially catastrophic...
= disastrous
● catastrophically [ADV] usu ADV after v, also ADV adj/-ed/adv
The faulty left-hand engine failed catastrophically as the aircraft approached the airport.
2 [ADJ]
If you describe something as catastrophic, you mean that it is very bad or unsuccessful.
...another catastrophic attempt to arrest control from a rival Christian militia...
His mother's untimely death had a catastrophic effect on him.
= disastrous
● catastrophically [ADV] usu ADV after v
By the time we had to sell, prices had fallen catastrophically.

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