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
  • Without an authoritative accounting, Eisenkot argues, the country cannot fully reckon with the catastrophe.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Retreating Iraqi forces set fire to hundreds of oil wells in Kuwait creating an environmental catastrophe felt throughout the Gulf.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 23 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
  • The bell, sans artist, continues to mark the passage of time, ringing every hour over the pavilion and its guests, a grotesque altar to the ongoing Venetian apocalypse.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Kayla Cottingham’s This Delicious Death is a fresh, fun, sapphic entry into the zombie apocalypse catalog.
    — Rebekah Faubion, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of apocalypse
Noun
  • Below the bust, the dress boasted a pale corset-style midriff with triangular cutouts that wrapped around to the back of the design.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That circumspection is the result of some hard lessons from a century of booms and busts.
    — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 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 30 Oct. 2026.

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