Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
hecatombe
noun
/ˈhɛkəˌtoʊm/
Definition
A large-scale loss of life or great destruction, often associated with disaster or calamity.
Examples
- The earthquake caused a hecatombe, leaving thousands homeless.
- In mythology, the hecatombe was a grand sacrifice to the gods, often involving numerous animals.
- Climate change could lead to a hecatombe of natural disasters in the coming years.
Meaning
The term refers to an event that causes significant devastation or a massive number of casualties, typically used in a dramatic context.
Synonyms
- catastrophe
- disaster
- tragedy
- mass destruction
- holocaust