catastrophism

noun

ca·​tas·​tro·​phism kə-ˈta-strə-ˌfi-zəm How to pronounce catastrophism (audio)
: a geologic doctrine that changes in the earth's crust have in the past been brought about suddenly by physical forces operating in ways that cannot be observed today compare uniformitarianism
catastrophist
kə-ˈta-strə-fist How to pronounce catastrophism (audio)
noun

Examples of catastrophism in a Sentence

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But uniformitarianism turned out to be a rigid and incomplete doctrine, one that blinded generations of geologists to the possibility that the planet was also shaped by exceptional and dramatic events, a counter-theory known as catastrophism. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2024 Climate catastrophism and its vendetta against fossil fuels represent nothing short of civilizational suicide -- and China knows it. — Meg Hansen, National Review, 7 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catastrophism was in 1869

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“Catastrophism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catastrophism. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catastrophism

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catastrophism

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