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

That’s because central planning always and everywhere fails, and would be economically disastrous if one of the most important prices in the world (credit) were controlled from the Commanding Heights. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Biden eventually withdrew from the 2024 presidential race after a disastrous debate performance. — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 25 July 2026

Lawmakers assumed the good investment returns would keep coming, which proved disastrous. — Zachary Christensen, Oc Register, 24 July 2026

Trump’s disregard for rules and institutions is the reason his supporters love him, and this film argues that such disregard has disastrous long-term consequences. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1