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

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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 In their letter, the Hollywood unions warned that the current schedule for the antitrust trial — set for March 2027 — could prove disastrous for industry workers already dealing with the effects of an industry contraction and runaway production. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026 In Iraq, the United States inflicted a dozen years of punishing sanctions, intermittent bombing, and failed regime change and counterproliferation efforts, followed by the disastrous 2003 invasion and occupation, all at tremendous human cost. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 The disastrous event produced more than 2,000 pieces of trackable debris larger than an AirPods case, about half of which is still in orbit today. — Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026 Even countries that made what seemed like subtle changes to immunization policies suffered disastrous consequences years later. — Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disastrous
  1. fatal
  2. devastating
  3. unfortunate
  4. destructive
  5. catastrophic
Adjective
  • The family ran the rescue out of their New Hampshire house until a fatal fire burned it down in 2019.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers also examined fatal crashes, looking at drivers’ ages, alcohol involvement, the number of people in the car and the model year of cars, as newer cars may have more safety features that prevent distraction.
    — Diana Anos, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of fatal
Adjective
  • Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time.
    — Jack Moore, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastating
Adjective
  • That understanding for the narrator is one tinged with mourning for the boy who endured but also the suspect boy who was always there, even before all the unfortunate happenings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The first addresses inflammation and irritation (an unfortunate side effect of vitamin C, for some people).
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Rocha Moya faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles fires in 2025 (also called the Palisades and Eaton fires) damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, making them among California’s most destructive wildfires.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of destructive
Adjective
  • Guthrie responded to the catastrophic damage brought by hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton, and to other crises like the Surfside condo collapse.
    — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Under American stewardship, catastrophic wars have shattered Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
    — MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of catastrophic

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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 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disastrous

Nglish: Translation of disastrous for Spanish Speakers

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