Calamity: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'calamity' to describe a serious event causing great damage or distress, often over a period of time.

• The economic collapse was a calamity for many families
• The drought was a calamity for the farming community

Use 'disaster' to describe a sudden event causing great damage or loss of life, often associated with natural events but can also be figurative.

• The plane crash was a tragic disaster
• The festival was a disaster due to the heavy rain

Use 'catastrophe' to describe an event causing widespread destruction and suffering, often used in both literal (natural disasters) and metaphorical senses.

• The hurricane was a catastrophe for the coastal towns
• The company's bankruptcy was a financial catastrophe

Use 'tragedy' to describe an event causing great suffering, destruction, and distress, often involving death or serious injury, frequently used in personal or dramatic contexts.

• The accident was a terrible tragedy for the family
• Shakespeare's plays often depict human tragedy

Use 'cataclysm' to describe a large-scale and violent event in the natural world, or a sudden, radical change in society.

• The earthquake was a cataclysm that reshaped the coastline
• The revolution brought a cataclysm to the nation's political landscape

Used to describe an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster. It typically refers to large-scale disasters or catastrophes.

• The earthquake was a calamity that affected thousands of people.
• The sudden flood was a real calamity for the village.

Used to talk about an unfortunate condition, an event or incident that brings bad luck or creates problems. It emphasizes the element of bad luck.

• They experienced a great deal of misfortune during their travels.
• Losing all his money was a significant misfortune for him.

Refers to a state of continued difficulty or misfortune, often persistent and challenging obstacles in life or situations.

• He showed great strength in the face of adversity.
• The team overcame adversity to win the championship.

Typically refers to a minor or small-scale unlucky accident or mistake. It doesn't usually describe severe situations.

• There was a slight mishap during the concert when the lights went out momentarily.
• Spilling coffee on my shirt was just a minor mishap.

Describes a state or condition of being hard to do, understand, or deal with. It is commonly used for everyday challenges or tasks.

• I had difficulty understanding the math problem.
• The difficulty of the hike made it a real challenge for us.