catastrophe

noun

kə-ˈta-strə-(ˌ)fē How to pronounce catastrophe (audio)
Definition of catastrophenext
1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction more than one natural catastrophe has threatened to destroy their farm over the years

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2
as in failure
something that has failed the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of catastrophe Glenn will call defensive plays after the Steve Wilks experiment as defensive coordinator lasted just 14 games and ended in catastrophe. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 16 July 2026 Beirut Fragments is less a memoir of survival than one of endurance, as survival implies an intactness on the far side of catastrophe—a wholeness that often exists only in the eyes of others. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 Cruise portrays Digger Rockwell, an eccentric oil magnate whose decisions put the world on the brink of catastrophe, ultimately compelling him to embark on an improbable mission to rescue humanity. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2026 The previous one, the French Open, had turned into a catastrophe. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for catastrophe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophe
  1. disaster
  2. failure
  3. tragedy
  4. apocalypse
  5. calamity
Noun
  • The whole administration of the capital is threatened by this disaster.
    — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 23 July 2026
  • But simply hoping things will bounce back is a recipe for disaster.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • The letter argues that openness prevents lock-in and that concentrating capability creates single points of failure.
    — Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • For Luis Javier Santos, the former head of UFERCO who investigated the case against Hernández, the former leader’s return represents a failure to prosecute him for his crimes, rather than a chance for justice.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • The Pan American Health Organization has also warned of a prolonged health crisis following the tragedy related to mental health, infectious diseases and poor sanitation.
    — Alfie Pannell, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Forged in the fire of tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human–the BATMAN.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 23 July 2026
Definition of tragedy
Noun
  • The rest of the season followed suit, delivering Teri's (Enuka Okuma) apocalypse story, and so much more.
    — Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
  • The same year, another, longer-running TV version focused on the story of survivors after an alien apocalypse that had wiped out most of the Earth's population.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of apocalypse
Noun
  • At the heart of the celebration is Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, a Shinto site whose principal deity has long been revered as a protector against calamities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • With one day to go, DeChambeau’s week has been an electric circus of golf-adjacent calamity.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of calamity

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cat (around)
catastrophe
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Cite this Entry

“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophe. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on catastrophe

Nglish: Translation of catastrophe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catastrophe

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