disaster

noun

di-ˈza-stər How to pronounce disaster (audio)
Definition of disasternext
1
as in catastrophe
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction hurricanes are natural disasters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failure
something that has failed an utter disaster, the play opened and closed on the same miserable night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disaster Other cities began to wonder if a similar disaster could happen in their own streets. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 But the impact of reinsurance extends far beyond disaster protection. — Monica Ningen, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2026 The disaster marked a major setback for Blue Origin, not least because the pad infrastructure itself was partially destroyed in the blast. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 Oct. 2026 Furtado was roughly an arm's length away, narrowly avoiding disaster. — Brandon Truitt, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disaster
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disaster
  1. catastrophe
  2. failure
  3. tragedy
  4. disappointment
  5. apocalypse
  6. bust
  7. calamity
Noun
  • Since Benson and her co-authors met in Oviedo, weather catastrophes have multiplied, oceans have acidified and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has soared.
    — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But this latest catastrophe could clip the wings of any comeback.
    — Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.
    — Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • But there is an important distinction between reporting a tragedy and allowing that tragedy to define an entire industry.
    — Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.
    — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of tragedy
Noun
  • One small disappointment was the lack of access to the loft in my deluxe studio, tucked so high under the shed roof that it was deemed unsafe to allow guests access by ladder.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Arab voters celebrated the exit polls while supporters of far-right parties aligned with Netanyahu expressed disappointment.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • There are some apocalypses, the song seems to suggest, where no redemptive beauty can be found.
    — Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As critics have noted, though both Soares and Yudkowsky have spent much time fretting about an AI apocalypse, there’s no consensus that such a future is even possible — let alone probable.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of apocalypse
Noun
  • The dark comedy centers on Malina and Viktor, a sister and brother getting by on the fringes of post-Communist Macedonia by pilfering busts of national heroes cast in bronze, along with manhole covers, and selling off the metal.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The singer went all out with the look, sporting a tall white wig and an oversized faux bust.
    — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of bust
Noun
  • Trump and Lee must restore deterrence, not reward Kim’s aggression, to avoid strategic and economic calamity.
    — Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Further calamity struck in June 2023 when floodwaters inundated the town due to a dam collapse.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of calamity

Browse Nearby Words

disassociating
disaster
disasters
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Cite this Entry

“Disaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disaster. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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