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.

Around him, his classmates listened intently as Gareth talked about how a seemingly normal school day turned into a catastrophe within seconds.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

As Ebola spread across West Africa in September 2014, the world was on the brink of catastrophe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 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

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

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Indeed, the coming age of cultural change - including new trends in music - was ushered in by a widely held belief that the world was on the brink of catastrophe.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

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"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

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!