1
as in disasters
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 failures
something that has failed
the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catastrophes
Not everyone can be Francis Ford Coppola, funding his own feverish catastrophes by selling off one of his vineyards.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Kennedy has made no bones about his misplaced skepticism of mRNA vaccines, pinging off the proliferating conspiracies around the COVID vaccines — incredible innovations that saved countless lives during one of the worst global catastrophes in recent memory.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
While Scarry’s books present such catastrophes with bright colors and good humor, Gomez undermines this cheer by superimposing on the mural a nearly all-black painting of a desolate tent encampment in front of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire.
—Sharon Mizota, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Kennedy has made no bones about his misplaced skepticism of mRNA vaccines, pinging off the proliferating conspiracies around the COVID vaccines — incredible innovations that saved countless lives during one of the worst global catastrophes in recent memory.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Any negotiation that is seen as overly rewarding aggression will set in motion catastrophes all over the world.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Any negotiation that is seen as overly rewarding aggression will set in motion catastrophes all over the world.
—Sophie Brams, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
However, within resources available, countries can build disaster and health response capabilities to mitigate physical and biological catastrophes.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
An observer of catastrophes, come what may.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2026
Kennedy has made no bones about his misplaced skepticism of mRNA vaccines, pinging off the proliferating conspiracies around the COVID vaccines — incredible innovations that saved countless lives during one of the worst global catastrophes in recent memory.
—The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Feb. 2026
While Scarry’s books present such catastrophes with bright colors and good humor, Gomez undermines this cheer by superimposing on the mural a nearly all-black painting of a desolate tent encampment in front of a home destroyed by the Eaton fire.
—Sharon Mizota, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Kennedy has made no bones about his misplaced skepticism of mRNA vaccines, pinging off the proliferating conspiracies around the COVID vaccines — incredible innovations that saved countless lives during one of the worst global catastrophes in recent memory.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
Any negotiation that is seen as overly rewarding aggression will set in motion catastrophes all over the world.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Any negotiation that is seen as overly rewarding aggression will set in motion catastrophes all over the world.
—Sophie Brams, The Hill, 3 Feb. 2026
However, within resources available, countries can build disaster and health response capabilities to mitigate physical and biological catastrophes.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 18 Jan. 2026
An observer of catastrophes, come what may.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophes
Noun
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Less than six weeks later, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was removed from her position, likely a result of a chain of PR disasters from DHS.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
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The deadly bus fire comes two months after one of the worst fire disasters in Switzerland in recent decades.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Ford’s deployment is notable not only for its length but also its pace, with operations in two hemispheres, combat in the Middle East, and maintenance challenges, including recurring plumbing failures that drew public attention.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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The foundation said that besides Lee's 911 call, at least four other 911 calls were made by others that day, including from her husband and people who saw parts of the crime unfolding -- but that communication failures and other issues prevented help from being sent.—
DAVID FISCHER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Based on Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth, the surrealist musical follows one nuclear family across thousands of years and three apocalypses.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
10 Dec. 2025
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And a lot of the pseudepigrapha, like the fake gospels and fake apocalypses, fill in gaps in the record that can serve latter-day, post-biblical purposes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Drane says these kinds of look-alike firearms have led to tragedies.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Worst of all, the program would eventually sustain two heartbreaking tragedies.—
Michael Carrafiello,
The Conversation,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Wisconsin has built a cool house, but left itself underinsured against win-or-go-home calamities.—
Peter Keating,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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There were intervening calamities that Walz, Ellison and Omar had nothing to do with, COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophes. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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