disastrous

adjective

di-ˈza-strəs How to pronounce disastrous (audio)
Definition of disastrousnext
1
as in fatal
bringing about ruin or misfortune a split-second, disastrous decision that I would forever regret

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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

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 disastrous And after a season that has teetered between disappointing and disastrous, maybe dreaming is exactly what this franchise needs. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026 After a slight respite with disastrous thunderstorms, intense heat is back in Philadelphia today, prompting a Code Red from the city. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 15 July 2026 There’s no excuse for the disastrous outcome of this very expensive renovation. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026 His unpopular reign was marked by disastrous wars, food shortages, unemployment, uprisings, and, ultimately, revolutions—two, to be precise. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disastrous
  1. fatal
  2. devastating
  3. unfortunate
  4. destructive
  5. catastrophic
Adjective
  • Like many Maine officials, Biddeford mayor Liam LaFountain has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Joan Sebastian Guerrero at the hands of a federal agent.
    — Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
  • In the third season, Juliette has lost her memories in the process of surviving a near-fatal experience being locked in an incinerator.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 13 July 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • The Five Star Weekend follows Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, a famed cook and best-selling author known for her delicious recipes, impeccable taste, and warm demeanor, who suffers a devastating loss.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026
  • Using examples like incidental lung nodules, the piece illustrates how AI can ensure timely follow-ups and coordinated care, preventing devastating delays.
    — Demetri Giannikopoulos, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • Healthcare has an unfortunate tendency to confuse organizational structure with progress.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • This leads to another unfortunate confrontation with a Bowden parent, as Tom drags Cady into the street and beats him up in full view of lookie-loos with phone cameras.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Two of Canada’s most destructive wildfire seasons occurred in 2023 and 2025, and the last three fire seasons were among the 10 worst on record.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026
  • The Federalist Papers include proposals for institutional solutions that sought to redirect the destructive drives of individuals toward positive social ends.
    — Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
Definition of destructive
Adjective
  • The threat of catastrophic flooding won’t ease up until Friday, as storms drop rain at 2 to 4 inches per hour.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • The National Weather Service warned that storms overnight could dump more than a foot of additional rain to some places into Wednesday, creating potentially catastrophic impacts from flash flooding in areas west of San Antonio.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of catastrophic

Browse Nearby Words

disasters
disastrous
disastrously
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Cite this Entry

“Disastrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disastrous. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disastrous

Nglish: Translation of disastrous for Spanish Speakers

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