Disaster: meaning, definitions and examples

Used for any situation where something unfortunate and damaging happens, often involving natural events or accidents, widely applicable for both literal and figurative scenarios.

• The earthquake was a major disaster that affected thousands.
• The project was a disaster due to poor planning.

Describes a very serious event causing significant harm or destruction, can refer to both natural and human-caused events, often highlighting the scale of the disaster.

• The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.
• The plane crash was an international catastrophe.

A more formal term usually describing a large-scale, unexpected event causing significant suffering and damage, often used in historical or literary contexts.

• The flood was a terrible calamity for the small village.
• The economic crisis became a national calamity.

Highlights the suffering or sorrow resulting from an event, often involving death or serious loss, used for personal losses and dramatic, heart-wrenching events.

• The sudden death of the young actor was a great tragedy.
• Losing her entire family in the accident was a personal tragedy.

Refers to a violent and sudden change or upheaval, often of a natural or political nature, with a dramatic impact, typically used in more serious and intense contexts.

• The region experienced a cataclysm after the volcanic eruption.
• The revolution was a political cataclysm that changed the country forever.

This is used to describe a sudden event that causes great damage, destruction, or distress. It's often associated with natural catastrophes, but can also refer to other kinds of severe problems.

• The earthquake was a disaster that left the city in ruins.
• His first attempt at cooking was a complete disaster; the food was inedible.

A broad term used to indicate the lack of success in achieving a goal or objective. It can apply to anything from minor personal mistakes to large-scale business or project shortcomings.

• Despite all their efforts, the project ended in failure.
• She faced her failure with grace and determined to try again.

Used to describe a situation that is not only a failure but also chaotic and embarrassing. It often implies a situation that went wrong in a very noticeable and public way.

• The party planning was a fiasco, with no one showing up and the caterer canceling at the last minute.
• The play was a fiasco, with actors forgetting their lines and technical failures.

This term refers to a sudden and humiliating failure. It’s often used in the context of events or situations that fail dramatically or unexpectedly.

• The company's latest product launch was a total debacle, with technical issues and poor sales.
• The team's strategy turned into a debacle, leading to their early exit from the tournament.

Commonly used to describe a failure in the entertainment industry, such as a movie, play, book, or show that performs very poorly.

• The movie was a flop at the box office, earning much less than expected.
• His latest novel turned into a flop, receiving poor reviews and minimal sales.