1
as in fatal
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a split-second, disastrous decision that I would forever regret
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a disastrous fire from which the town never fully recovered
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disastrous
Successive elections have been disastrous.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
But the move proved to be disastrous.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
And years later, when the group splintered into increasingly militant factions, some took part in a disastrous bank robbery that killed an innocent guard and two police officers—three men who were just doing their jobs that day, and who left behind their own kids, their own families.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Others are more pointed; her recounting of an attempt to make a new friend and the disastrous dinner party that ensued, a nightmarish experience on the set of an (unnamed) indie movie set, a nightmarish experience becoming a member of an (unnamed) celebrity and influencer gym in Los Angeles.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026
But the move proved to be disastrous.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
And years later, when the group splintered into increasingly militant factions, some took part in a disastrous bank robbery that killed an innocent guard and two police officers—three men who were just doing their jobs that day, and who left behind their own kids, their own families.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Others are more pointed; her recounting of an attempt to make a new friend and the disastrous dinner party that ensued, a nightmarish experience on the set of an (unnamed) indie movie set, a nightmarish experience becoming a member of an (unnamed) celebrity and influencer gym in Los Angeles.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disastrous
Adjective
-
But, really, this did feel like a night when those play-off hopes were dealt a potentially fatal blow.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease causing fever, respiratory symptoms and a characteristic rash and can sometimes have severe or fatal complications, especially in young children, according to WHO.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Surely, every generation faces this devastating crossroads of actual adulthood.—
Annah Feinberg,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The loss dealt a devastating blow to Seattle’s bid for a playoff spot, costing the club an opportunity to close the gap in the Western Conference wild-card race.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mikey never ended up doing anything beyond flirting, but his unfortunate turn of phrase was all Sydney needed to begin exploring her options in the villa.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Charlotte Hornets received an unfortunate reminder Friday night in their last home game of the regular season.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This is the concept that forms the bedrock of the destructive incel ideology.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Of course authoritarianism is a destructive force.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Early warnings were dismissed before, with catastrophic consequences.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
-
For a community already grappling with a $24 million budget deficit this year, the financial consequences of an additional $100 million debt are beyond catastrophic.—
John Gates,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disastrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disastrous. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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