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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in failure
something that has failed
the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of catastrophe
Healthcare registers the effects of climate catastrophes, ecosystem failures and food shortages that also fuel political and social crises.
—
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Emergency specialists warn that Venezuela lacks the institutional capacity and disaster-management infrastructure typically needed to handle a catastrophe of this scale, particularly amid years of economic collapse and institutional erosion.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Besides an economic lifeline, tatreez has provided her with a bridge to the land her parents fled during the 1948 mass displacement that Palestinians call their Nakba, or catastrophe.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
For many in La Guaira, the current devastation brings back traumatic memories of the previous catastrophe.
—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for catastrophe
Ginny Whitelaw,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Emergency specialists warn that Venezuela lacks the institutional capacity and disaster-management infrastructure typically needed to handle a catastrophe of this scale, particularly amid years of economic collapse and institutional erosion.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Besides an economic lifeline, tatreez has provided her with a bridge to the land her parents fled during the 1948 mass displacement that Palestinians call their Nakba, or catastrophe.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
For many in La Guaira, the current devastation brings back traumatic memories of the previous catastrophe.
—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for catastrophe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for catastrophe
Noun
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Rodríguez said numerous public officials died in the disaster, including security personnel, municipal employees and military officers.
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The Boyle Heights blaze, similar to the Eaton and Palisades fires, has revealed the region’s air monitoring can’t always tell people what they’ve been exposed to in a disaster.
Noun
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According to Castillo, one of the most significant failures has been the tendency to treat many squatter complaints as civil disputes rather than criminal investigations.
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Spence also appears to be absorbing the blame for broader failures, with Thomas Tuchel’s touchline frustrations obvious and — for a player still establishing himself at this level — that scrutiny is unlikely to help.
Noun
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During the June 23 meeting, residents urged city officials to keep funding the team to prevent future tragedies.
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Here are the most significant developments since the tragedy occurred.
Noun
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The same year, another, longer-running TV version focused on the story of survivors after an alien apocalypse that had wiped out most of the Earth's population.
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Closing the Manhattan Bridge, diverting traffic, and managing the safety of staging a zombie apocalypse downtown required the cooperation and manpower of multiple agencies with their own sets of pressing priorities and responsibilities.
Noun
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There have been few comments about improvements or calamities, other than the usual notes that battery life was reduced immediately after installation, which is commonplace.
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Residents of La Guaira, ground zero of the calamity, said food and water remained in short supply, despite the massive aid effort.
Cite this Entry
“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/catastrophe. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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