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.

The suspected failure of a cooling system, and the introduction of heat to a pressurized tank with MMA, planted the seeds of a potential catastrophe.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

"It's a catastrophe for me because I hate being silent!" she posted on social media.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

No one wants war, which would be a catastrophe, but the U.S. isn’t threatening to use force against China.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

For many years, researchers supported what became known as the Toba catastrophe hypothesis.

From Science Daily • May 11, 2026

The catastrophe was so great that for several moments no other sound escaped the keeper.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks

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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