disastrous

adjective

di·​sas·​trous di-ˈza-strəs How to pronounce disastrous (audio)
also -ˈsa-
Synonyms of disastrous
1
: attended by or causing suffering or disaster : calamitous
a disastrous flood
2
: terrible, horrendous
a disastrous score
disastrously adverb

Synonyms of disastrous

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Examples of disastrous in a Sentence

Half the city was destroyed by a disastrous fire. The bad weather could have a disastrous effect on the area's tourism industry. His failure to back up the computer files had disastrous consequences. The strike was economically disastrous.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The International Energy Agency has noted that renewable energy has partly insulated European economies from truly disastrous fossil fuel price shocks. — Claas Mertens, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026 With the amount of youth that permeates this team, a total checkout, however, could be disastrous. — Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 The injury exit compounds a disastrous stretch for the Rams' special teams. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 But real power, particularly in numbers, can make things happen or stop really disastrous things from happening. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disastrous

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disastrous was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

disaster strikes
disastrous
disastrously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disastrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disastrous. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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