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.

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodríguez has called the earthquakes the "most brutal natural catastrophe" in the country's history.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has called the earthquakes the "most brutal natural catastrophe" in Venezuela's history.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

From Fort Lee, across the Hudson, Gen. George Washington watched the catastrophe in agony.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 29, 2026

The twin earthquakes, plus a dizzying number of substantial aftershocks, were a generational catastrophe, killing more than 50,000 people.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

The silk ripped straight through, and sulfur and hydrogen leaped to meet each other in a catastrophe of flame.

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

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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