1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
more than one natural catastrophe has threatened to destroy their farm over the years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failure
something that has failed
the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophe
Noun
-
The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026 -
Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their bite can lead to rapid respiratory failure and paralysis without prompt medical treatment.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Doe alleges the school’s failure to act caused long-term emotional and psychological harm that continues today.—
Lexi Nicklaus,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Are those the exact services a family needs and can rely on to avoid tragedy?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The investigation falls amid a variety of other probes into the tragedy at Camp Mystic, including as part of lawsuits filed by families against the camp’s leaders.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the context of extreme space weather, some individuals or groups may interpret such an event as an impending apocalypse.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The SaaS apocalypse, in his telling, is not hype.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the much-ballyhooed calamity — millions of Americans forced to go without health insurance coverage — never took place.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, the much-ballyhooed calamity — millions of Americans forced to go without health insurance coverage — never took place.—
Las Vegas Review-Journal,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophe. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
