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 scope of the catastrophe quickly overwhelmed a country of 28 million battered by years of economic crisis and political tumult.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026

US President Donald Trump, who signed the deal in France during the G7 summit, defended the proposal, saying it would it would stave off an "economic catastrophe".

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

"I didn't want to see economic catastrophe," Trump told reporters.

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026

In essence, the threat of global catastrophe has never been higher.

From Salon • Jun. 15, 2026

A compulsively methodical man, he had elaborate systems in place that were supposed to prevent such a catastrophe.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

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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