Disastrously Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disastrously

[dษชหˆzรฆstrษ™sli ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

in a disastrous manner

In a way that causes great damage or harm; very badly or disastrously.

Synonyms

catastrophically, devastatingly, horrendously.

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Word Description / Examples
disastrously

Use this word when something leads to a serious failure or bad outcome, often in a way that wasnโ€™t expected. This word emphasizes the negative impact of the event.

  • The project was managed disastrously, resulting in significant losses for the company
catastrophically

This word is suitable when something causes or involves a total or near-total destruction or ruin, often on a large scale. It typically refers to something extremely bad happening.

  • The hurricane struck the city catastrophically, leaving thousands homeless
devastatingly

Use this word to describe a situation or event that causes great emotional pain, destruction, or damage. It can be applied to both physical and emotional contexts.

  • The fire spread devastatingly through the forest, destroying countless trees and wildlife
horrendously

This word is used to describe something that is extremely bad or unpleasant, and often evokes a strong, negative emotional reaction. It has a more intense negative connotation than the other words.

  • The team performed horrendously in the finals, scoring zero points in the entire match

Examples of usage

  • The project failed disastrously due to poor planning.
  • The hurricane hit the coast disastrously, causing widespread destruction.
  • The team performed disastrously in the championship game.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Events

  • The Titanic sank in 1912, a major maritime disaster, illustrating the concept of things happening disastrously.
  • Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused catastrophic damage across several states in the US, showcasing a disastrous natural event.

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's tragedies, characters often face events that unfold disastrously, leading to their downfall.
  • In modern stories, protagonists can find themselves in situations that go disastrously wrong, heightening the drama and tension.

Psychology

  • People may perceive an event as disastrous depending on its impact on their life, often shaped by personal experiences and expectations.
  • Cognitive biases can lead people to judge situations as disastrous when an emotional response exaggerates the actual outcome.

Pop Culture

  • In reality TV, situations often unfold disastrously, leading to dramatic confrontations and unexpected outcomes.
  • Movies like 'The Day After Tomorrow' depict disasters and their disastrous effects on characters and the environment.

Origin of 'disastrously'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'disastro', meaning 'ill-starred' or 'unlucky'.
  • It is formed from the prefix 'dis-' which indicates a negative force, and 'astro' referring to stars, highlighting its association with unfavorable celestial events.

The word 'disastrously' is derived from the word 'disastrous,' which comes from the Latin word 'disastrum' meaning 'unlucky' or 'unfavorable.' The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverb 'disastrously,' indicating how something is done in a disastrous manner. The term has been in use since the 16th century and is commonly used to describe events or situations that result in great harm or damage.


See also: disaster, disastrous.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,891, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.