Need another word for Catastrophe? Use these synonyms of Catastrophe from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
disaster
calamity
tragedy
crisis
emergency
mishap
accident
debacle
fiasco
ruin
devastation
destruction
mayhem
chaos
upheaval
turmoil
affliction
plague
scourge
bane
curse
adversity
misfortune
woe
cataclysm
apocalypse
annihilation
demolition
wreckage
havoc
pandemonium
bedlam
turmoil
catastrophe
holocaust
Armageddon
doom
gloom
despair
Meaning of Catastrophe
A sudden and violent event, especially one that causes widespread damage or loss of life.
Definitions
- A sudden and violent event, especially one that causes widespread damage or loss of life
- A state of affairs that has become uncontrollable or has reached a critical point
- A dramatic or literary term for a sudden and violent event, especially one that marks the climax of a plot
Etymology of Catastrophe
The word "catastrophe" comes from the Greek katastrophē, meaning "a turning down" or "an overturning", which is derived from kata, meaning "down", and strophē, meaning "a turning"
Historically, the term was used in drama to describe the final event in a play, and its meaning has since expanded to include any sudden and violent event that causes widespread damage or loss of life
Example Uses
- The hurricane was a catastrophe that left thousands of people homeless
- The company's financial catastrophe was caused by a combination of poor management and market conditions
- The play's catastrophe was a dramatic turning point that changed the course of the story
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
success
triumph
victory
achievement
accomplishment
boon
blessing
windfall
godsend
miracle
wonder
marvel
salvation
rescue
relief
rehabilitation
restoration
recovery
revival
rejuvenation
renewal
resurgence
prosperity
flourishing
thriving
blooming