catastrophe

[kuh-tas-truh-fee] / kəˈtæs trə fi /

NOUN

calamity; unhappy conclusion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accident adversity calamity casualty cataclysm crash debacle devastation disaster emergency failure fiasco hardship meltdown misery mishap tragedy trouble wreck

STRONG

affliction alluvion blow contretemps culmination curtains denouement desolation end fatality finale grief havoc ill infliction misadventure mischance misfortune reverse scourge stroke termination trial upshot waterloo

WEAK

bad luck bad news bad thing the worst

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage aid assistance benefit blessing boon creation favor fortune gain good fortune good luck happiness help joy miracle peace profit prosperity success win wonder

STRONG

beginning birth cause comfort commencement delight luck opening origin start

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You’ve got empty skyscrapers and a massive homeless catastrophe.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Working in catastrophe mitigation for the state of Louisiana, Goings likes to be prepared for the worst.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

"No club can survive for the long-term in this system and if that continues, catastrophe will happen," warned Portsmouth chairman Michael Eisner.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

"The situation remains extremely worrying and the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe... is real," she told reporters in Geneva, speaking from Beirut.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

From Bartolome de Las Casas on, Europeans have known that their arrival brought about a catastrophe for Native Americans.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Vocabulary lists containing catastrophe

Break It Down: Cata

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Words from "The Avengers"

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Don't Distress: Words With Irregular Opposites

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