Synonyms for catastrophe
kəˈtæs trə ficatas·tro·phe

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.9 / 7 votes

1. catastrophe

   A cataclysm or catastrophe is some great convulsion or momentous event that may or may not be a cause of misery to man. In calamity, or disaster, the thought of human suffering is always present. It has been held by many geologists that numerous catastrophes or cataclysms antedated the existence of man. In literature, the final event of a drama is the catastrophe, or denouement. Misfortune ordinarily suggests less of suddenness and violence than calamity or disaster, and is especially applied to that which is lingering or enduring in its effects. In history, the end of every great war or the fall of a nation is a catastrophe, tho it may not be a calamity. Yet such an event, if not a calamity to the race, will always involve much individual disaster and misfortune. Pestilence is a calamity; a defeat in battle, a shipwreck, or a failure in business is a disaster; sickness or loss of property is a misfortune; failure to meet a friend is a mischance; the breaking of a teacup is a mishap.

   Synonyms:
   calamity, cataclysm, denouement, disaster, mischance, misfortune, mishap, sequel

   Antonyms:
   benefit, blessing, boon, comfort, favor, help, pleasure, privilege, prosperity, success

   Preposition:
   The catastrophe of a play; of a siege; rarely, to a person, etc.

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:4.5 / 4 votes

1. catastrophe

   Synonyms:
   revolution, disaster, calamity, misfortune, misadventure, reverse, blow, visitation

   Antonyms:
   blessing, victory, triumph, felicitation, achievement, ovation, success, godsend

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:2.0 / 3 votes

1. 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, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

2. 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, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

3. catastrophe, cataclysmnoun

   a sudden violent change in the earth's surface

   Synonyms:
   disaster, tragedy, calamity, cataclysm

Matched Categories

1. • Adversity
   • Geological Phenomenon
   • Misfortune

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. catastrophenoun

   Synonyms:
   upshot, issue, consummation, conclusion, termination, denouement, FINALE, winding up, finishing stroke, final event

2. catastrophenoun

   Synonyms:
   CALAMITY, disaster, misfortune, mishap, mischance

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

1. catastrophenoun

   Synonyms:
   disaster, calamity

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "catastrophe":

   disaster, calamity, disasters, tragedy, nakba

How to pronounce catastrophe?

How to say catastrophe in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use catastrophe in a sentence?

1. Prime Minister Tamam Salam:

   This was a catastrophe that was a result of years and years of neglect.

2. George Sand:

   One approaches the journey's end. But the end is a goal, not a catastrophe.

3. The Archbishop:

   At a time when the whole country has been affected by a major catastrophe, politicians should stop finding fault with each other, instead they must have broad discussion on what steps needed to be taken to solve this and take this country out of this crisis.

4. David Axelrod:

   Even before we took office, we knew the economic catastrophe we were inheriting, which promised to be long and deep, meant we faced a calamitous midterm, that meant if we wanted to accomplish anything meaningful, it would have to come in the first two years, when we had large majorities in both chambers. It's why President Obama moved the Affordable Care Act when he did.

5. Daniel DiNardo:

   This is a moral catastrophe, it is also part of this catastrophe that so many faithful priests who are pursuing holiness and serving with integrity are tainted by this failure. We firmly resolve, with the help of God's grace, never to repeat it.