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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failure
something that has failed
the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophe
Noun
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The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025 -
Freeport-McMoRan is likely to rebound from an environmental disaster last month at its giant Grasberg mine in Indonesia that led the copper and gold producer to cut its production estimates, according to UBS.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Griffith and CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening are facing charges, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, obstructing a highway and obstructing an emergency responder.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
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Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Furthermore, a zombie apocalypse wouldn’t even scratch the surface of weirdest things to happen in the fictional town of Riverdale.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Believe it or not, the zombie apocalypse has reached the MCU.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After the tragedy, Gibson's attorney said the actor had since rehomed his beloved mastiffs.—
Nicholas Rice,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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There are too many stories, too many tragedies, and too many silver linings to properly detail, especially as the national media spotlight has long moved on to the next crisis.—
Garret K. Woodward,
Rolling Stone,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But earlier this month, President Lee Jae-myung told Reuters such requirements would trigger a calamity similar to the one that eventually required an International Monetary Fund bailout.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Parts of the southeastern United States are bracing for the impacts of Tropical Storm Imelda, just one year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region, leaving casualties and calamity in its wake.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
28 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophe. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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