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:
   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:
   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

How to pronounce disaster?

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Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use disaster in a sentence?

1. Richard Blumenthal:

   He would be screaming to the world,' I am guilty !' And he would so undermine the credibility of his office that it would be a disaster for the nation, it would very possibly be an obstruction of justice because he would be misusing that power to protect himself as a target of that investigation.

2. Stephanie Rendon:

   Every disaster is unique and brings its own set of challenges.

3. Robert Glasser:

   I feel confident that this issue (of disaster risk reduction) will only grow in importance on the agenda, because the problems are going to get worse.

4. Rob Bonta:

   The oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach is an environmental disaster with far-reaching consequences for our fish and wildlife, for our communities, and for oureconomy, i want to thank all our local, state, and federal partners who are working around the clock to protect the health and safety of Californians and to mitigate the damage to our environment and natural resources.

5. Carlos Castillo:

   Social distancing and other CDC guidance to keep you safe from COVID-19 may impact the disaster preparedness plan you had in place, including what is in your go-kit, evacuation routes, shelters and more.