Synonyms for Disaster
dɪˈzæs tər, -ˈzɑ stərdis·as·ter

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:2.0 / 2 votes

1. disaster

   An accident is that which happens without any one's direct intention; a chance that which happens without any known cause. If the direct cause of a railroad accident is known, we can not call it a chance. To the theist there is, in strictness, no chance, all things being by divine causation and control; but chance is spoken of where no special cause is manifest: "By chance there came down a certain priest that way," Luke x, 31. We can speak of a game of chance, but not of a game of accident. An incident is viewed as occurring in the regular course of things, but subordinate to the main purpose, or aside from the main design. Fortune is the result of inscrutable controlling forces. Fortune and chance are nearly equivalent, but chance can be used of human effort and endeavor as fortune can not be; we say "he has a chance of success," or "there is one chance in a thousand," where we could not substitute fortune; as personified, Fortune is regarded as having a fitful purpose, Chance as purposeless; we speak of fickle Fortune, blind Chance; "Fortune favors the brave." The slaughter of men is an incident of battle; unexpected defeat, the fortune of war. Since the unintended is often the undesirable, accident tends to signify some calamity or disaster, unless the contrary is expressed, as when we say a fortunate or happy accident. An adventure is that which may turn out ill, a misadventure that which does turn out ill. A slight disturbing accident is a mishap. Compare EVENT; HAZARD.

   Synonyms:
   accident, adventure, calamity, casualty, chance, contingency, fortuity, hap, happening, hazard, incident, misadventure, misfortune, mishap, possibility

   Antonyms:
   appointment, calculation, certainty, decree, fate, foreordination, intention, law, necessity, ordainment, ordinance, plan, preparation, provision, purpose

   Preposition:
   The accident of birth; an accident to the machinery.

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. catastrophe, disasternoun

   a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune

   "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster"

   Synonyms:
   disaster, catastrophe, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

2. calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy, cataclysmnoun

   an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

   "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster"

   Synonyms:
   disaster, catastrophe, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

3. disasternoun

   an act that has disastrous consequences

   Synonyms:
   catastrophe, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

Matched Categories

1. • Adversity
   • Destruction

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. disasternoun

   Synonyms:
   mishap, misfortune, reverse, mischance, calamity, catastrophe, blow, stroke, casualty

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. disasternoun

   Synonyms:
   calamity, mishap, catastrophe, casualty

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:3.0 / 1 vote

1. List of paraphrases for "disaster":

   catastrophe, disasters, calamity, accident, tragedy, cataclysm, mess, debacle, scourge, destruction, misfortune, shambles, ramp, catastrophes, hazards, devastation

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How to use Disaster in a sentence?

1. Allen Wright:

   Right now, it’s policy that weapons aren’t allowed in the parks, to allow someone to carry one on their hip and walk around the park with it, no, that’s just a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.

2. David Boudinot:

   This is extremely concerning. The ship and containers are very close to Victoria, BC, and a big storm is forecast to hit tonight. We... are worried this may be yet another environmental disaster.

3. Fiona Simson:

   The impacts on farmers if foot and mouth gets in are too gut-wrenching to even contemplate, but it's not just about farmers. Wiping $ 80 billion off Australia's GDP would be an economic disaster for everyone.

4. Mark Green:

   Another month and another effort from DHS to hinder transparency with the American people. It’s no surprise we get our most important information from DHS on a Friday after dark, the Southwest border is an unmitigated disaster and these monthly encounter numbers from DHS prove just that.

5. Tom Carper:

   It blatantly ignores the lessons learned of an entirely preventable disaster. It ignores the incredible risks posed by an improperly managed and irregularly inspected offshore oil rig.