PoliticsJuly 10, 2026

calamity

/kəˈlæməti/

Definition

A disastrous event or a state of profound distress and misfortune.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle French 'calamité' and the Latin 'calamitas,' which originally referred to a blight or damage to crops. It evolved to describe any great misfortune or disastrous event.

In the news

In the article, Donald Trump uses the word to describe the potential political failure of the Republican party if they do not pass his preferred legislation. He frames this outcome as a severe, self-inflicted disaster for the party and the nation.

Playbook

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