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 Matthias Huss is cautious about making a direct link between climate change and such disasters. — Imogen Foulkes, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026 In it, Cruise disappears behind makeup and prosthetics into the role of Texas oilman Digger Rockwell, whose company sparks an ecological disaster that could end in nuclear apocalypse. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 In both countries, disaster response is straining the finances and capacity of new leaders who campaigned on security but must now contend with economic fragility. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 The initiative pairs disaster survivors with independent case managers who help them with the overwhelming logistics that come with trying to recover from such a catastrophic event. — Brianna Sacks, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 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
  • Wrightwood residents are used to pulling together to face catastrophe.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Beginning after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and continuing to this day, smaller companies sprang up and took on big roles here, as national insurers pulled back rather than risk the financial catastrophe of another huge, damaging tropical system.
    — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Repeating that process places significant stress on components, increasing operational and capital costs due to the risk of failure, maintenance requirements and downtime.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The driver, identified as 54-year-old Robert Delorenzo of Stratford, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to stop on the right side of the road.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of failure
Noun
  • School Girls isn’t a tragedy, but its antiheroine, and the world that shaped her, just might break your heart.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The attorneys for an Annunciation Catholic School shooting victim's family say YouTube could have prevented the tragedy, and a civil lawsuit is being considered.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of tragedy
Noun
  • The truth was, my fancy New York artist aunt was a disappointment to me.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Booker expressed disappointment with the outcome on Wednesday afternoon, saying that the settlement does not resolve the concerns that led to the antitrust suit.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of disappointment
Noun
  • His character in Resident Evil serves the opposite role of the normie who simply does not want to acknowledge the unfolding of an apocalypse around him.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … Who quit his job and predicted an AI apocalypse?
    — , FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of apocalypse
Noun
  • Meta was considered a bust on AI except for the power angle, which is covered well by Entergy’s nuclear power plants.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The ensemble, loosely based on a design from Saint Laurent’s fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection, per Chali’s stylist Chris Horan, was crafted with a velvety fabric and a sheer element at the bust for a sensual edge.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of bust
Noun
  • The toxic loans were also packaged and peddled around the world to banks everywhere, resulting in a calamity.
    — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
  • During each and every move, some sort of financial calamity resulted.
    — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 24 Sep. 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 Oct. 2026.

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