disaster

[dih-zas-ter, -zah-ster] / dɪˈzæs tər, -ˈzɑ stər /

NOUN

accident, trouble

Synonyms

STRONGEST

calamity catastrophe collapse crash debacle defeat emergency failure fiasco flood harm hazard holocaust mishap setback tragedy woe

STRONG

adversity affliction bale bane blight blow bust casualty cataclysm collision depression exigency fall flop grief misadventure mischance misfortune reverse rock rough ruin ruination stroke undoing upset washout

WEAK

act of God bad luck bad news bad thing fell stroke hard luck hot water ill luck the worst

Antonyms

STRONGEST

achievement advantage attainment benefit blessing boon good fortune good luck happiness joy miracle success victory win wonder

STRONG

aid building creation encouragement fortune health help prosperity triumph

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.

It was a disaster from the moment they arrived.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

This can lead to disaster in a lot of families, as you are finding out.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

However, the inaugural event was marred by a triple-digit heat wave and was a financial disaster.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

"We had the reports and the paperwork, but actual items from the disaster simply weren't there."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

This consisted of his father picking a random street in a random city, and a disaster like a flood.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith