Synonyms of disastrous

disastrous

adjective

di-ˈza-strəs 

1

as in fatal

bringing about ruin or misfortune

a split-second, disastrous decision that I would forever regret

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fatal
• unfortunate
• catastrophic
• destructive
• calamitous
• ruinous
• fateful
• damning
• apocalyptic
• damaging
• cataclysmal
• adverse
• detrimental
• harmful
• injurious
• hapless
• luckless
• deleterious
• pernicious
• ill-fated
• baneful
• ill-starred
• prejudicial
• evil
• hurtful
• noxious
• baleful
• ill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• fortuitous
• lucky
• fortunate
• providential
• promising
• fair
• fluky
• optimistic
• golden
• encouraging
• rosy
• hopeful
• propitious
• bright
• auspicious
• upbeat
• heartening
• rose-colored

2

as in devastating

causing or tending to cause destruction

a disastrous fire from which the town never fully recovered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• devastating
• destructive
• devastative
• calamitous
• ruinous
• deadly
• fatal
• poisonous
• lethal
• annihilatory
• fell
• cataclysmal
• murderous
• detrimental
• harmful
• virulent
• killer
• antibiotic
• deleterious
• pernicious
• baleful
• mortal
• biocidal
• vital
• deathly
• pestilent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• protective
• nondestructive
• constructive
• productive
• creative
• formative
• useful
• harmless
• innocuous
• helpful
• innocent
• healthy
• preservative
• healthful
• wholesome
• inoffensive
• ameliorative
• nonfatal
• salubrious
• nonlethal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disastrous

Amid the movie’s disastrous box office run, various Hollywood celebrities rallied around Cruise and the movie. — Zack Sharf, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

This scenario could be disastrous for Netanyahu’s opponents, who had momentum heading into this election, even though the outcome fell short of their expectations. — Tia Goldenberg, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Despite that disastrous beginning, Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers made no sweeping changes during their bye week, although Harbaugh said nothing was off the table as the team searches for answers. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026

Years of deferred maintenance and funding fights led to a disastrous series of train delays and track fires in 2017 that came to be known as the Summer of Hell. — New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026