CATASTROPHE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

catastrophe

noun

kə-ˈta-strə-(ˌ)fē

Definition of catastrophe

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in failure

something that has failed the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of catastrophe Both sides blame each other for bringing the city to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 With that in mind, here’s a look at three new books shaped by catastrophes large and small. — Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 17 Oct. 2026 This is the kind of situation that can rapidly spiral into a humanitarian catastrophe if assistance cannot move safely and reach those who need it most. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 This palette also has a latch tab that locks the lid in place, avoiding any potential catastrophes. — Elleanna Revell, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catastrophe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophe

Noun

Residents, meanwhile, can give firefighters the best shot at stopping a potential disaster by clearing flammable vegetation in their yards and fire-hardening their homes.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The goal, ultimately, is not to eat our way out of an ecological disaster.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of disaster

Noun

Even if Theranos had a functioning testing machine, the economic model on which is was based would result in failure.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
Even among voters who want Republicans to retain control, 17% cited weak AI and data center oversight — second only to a failure to bring down prices.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of failure

Noun

But there is an important distinction between reporting a tragedy and allowing that tragedy to define an entire industry.

— Dennis Speigel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
The destruction of South Korea’s memory chip fabs would compound this tragedy and cripple the global economy.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragedy

Noun

The bell, sans artist, continues to mark the passage of time, ringing every hour over the pavilion and its guests, a grotesque altar to the ongoing Venetian apocalypse.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Kayla Cottingham’s This Delicious Death is a fresh, fun, sapphic entry into the zombie apocalypse catalog.

— Rebekah Faubion, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of apocalypse

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cat (around)

catastrophe

catastrophes

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“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophe. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of catastrophe

noun

Example Sentences

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