1. the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events
Usage: geological
2. a tendency to view or present situations as worse than they actually are or as inevitably heading toward disaster

Examples

• Early geologists favored catastrophism to explain fossil records and rock formations.
• The theory of catastrophism was largely replaced by uniformitarianism in the 19th century.
• Modern geology incorporates both gradual processes and catastrophic events.
• His catastrophism about climate change made it difficult to have productive discussions.
• The media’s catastrophism regarding the economic situation created unnecessary panic.
• Scientists try to avoid catastrophism when communicating research findings to the public.