Definitions

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.

In Ahmedabad, another question lingers: what happens to a place after a catastrophe becomes part of its daily life?

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Ms. Arno’s postwar chapters are strongest when they keep catastrophe from swallowing the rest of the life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

You wouldn't want to read a whole lot into the 4-1 but it was welcome, a fillip when a catastrophe presented itself at 1-0.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

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

The slightest miscue by any one of them would mean catching a crab, and catastrophe.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Vocabulary lists containing catastrophe

Break It Down: Cata

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Words from "The Avengers"

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Don't Distress: Words With Irregular Opposites

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!