disastrous

adjective

di·​sas·​trous di-ˈza-strəs How to pronounce disastrous (audio)
also -ˈsa-
Synonyms of disastrousnext
1
: attended by or causing suffering or disaster : calamitous
a disastrous flood
2
: terrible, horrendous
a disastrous score
disastrously adverb

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
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The then-club record £14million signing of Didier Ndong was disastrous, as were Moyes’ attempts to bring his Everton band back together with the signings of Victor Anichebe, Pienaar, Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 And just like that, the question that loomed over this team for three days — How would the Magic respond to a disastrous third-quarter collapse in Game 2 Wednesday night? Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 The alternate approach of passing a bill based on incomplete information and hoping for the best has had disastrous consequences in the past. David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Goalie change Despite Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff dancing around the subject, Alex Lyon was in the starter’s net at the Sabres’ morning skate and the 33-year-old Yale man was replaced Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who had a disastrous Game 2. Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disastrous

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disastrous was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Disastrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disastrous. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.

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