disastrous

adjective

di·​sas·​trous di-ˈza-strəs 

also -ˈsa-

1

: attended by or causing suffering or disaster : calamitous

a disastrous flood

2

: terrible, horrendous

a disastrous score

disastrously adverb

Synonyms of disastrous

• fatal
• unfortunate
• catastrophic

Examples of disastrous in a Sentence

Half the city was destroyed by a disastrous fire.

The bad weather could have a disastrous effect on the area's tourism industry.

His failure to back up the computer files had disastrous consequences.

The strike was economically disastrous.

Recent Examples on the Web

His portrayal of best-selling thriller writer Greg Russo — adrift in a New England college after a disastrous campus speaking engagement — lands in that sweet spot between comedy and drama that has increasingly defined the modern Emmy landscape. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 May 2026

But Denver’s first-round flame-out was the sort of disastrous outcome that inevitably leads to intense scrutiny and speculation in the NBA. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026

Willson Contreras has been Gold Glove-caliber at first base, and one of the best hitters in an overall disastrous lineup. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026

Mickey Callaway was nearly fired after a disastrous month in 2019. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1