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.

The US government's disaster agency has linked emissions from landfill fires to cancer, liver damage, rashes and reproductive disorders.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

There are exceptions: Drones may still be bought and stored for purposes like counter-terrorism and disaster relief, if approved by authorities.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Federal investigators probing the UPS disaster mentioned similarities between the November accident and the 1979 crash of American Airlines Flight 191, which involved a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 passenger jet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

For days, Soviet authorities hid the catastrophe from the world -- a disaster that further weakened the already crumbling USSR, which collapsed in 1991.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Maybe that was the only way of keeping our hopes alive, by looking beyond all we were seeing around us, and the shadow of disaster that hung over us.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Vocabulary lists containing disaster

Did You Planet? Words With Surprisingly Spacey Origins

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!

Oh, My Stars! A Solstice Sampler

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!

Calamity, Catastrophe, and Crisis: Disaster Words

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!