catastrophe

[ kuh-tas-truh-fee ]

noun

1. a sudden and widespread disaster:

   the catastrophe of war.

   Synonyms: calamity, misfortune

   Antonyms: triumph

2. any misfortune, mishap, or failure; fiasco:

   The play was so poor our whole evening was a catastrophe.

3. a final event or conclusion, usually an unfortunate one; a disastrous end:

   the great catastrophe of the Old South at Appomattox.

   Antonyms: triumph

4. (in a drama) the point at which the circumstances overcome the central motive, introducing the close or conclusion; dénouement. Compare catastasis, epitasis, protasis.
5. Geology. a sudden, violent disturbance, especially of a part of the surface of the earth; cataclysm.
6. Also called ca·tas·tro·phe func·tion [k, uh, -, tas, -tr, uh, -fee fuhngk-sh, uh, n]. Mathematics. any of the mathematical functions that describe the discontinuities that are treated in catastrophe theory.

catastrophe

/ kəˈtæstrəfɪ; ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk /

noun

1. a sudden, extensive, or notable disaster or misfortune
2. the denouement of a play, esp a classical tragedy
3. a final decisive event, usually causing a disastrous end
4. Also calledcataclysm any sudden and violent change in the earth's surface caused by flooding, earthquake, or some other rapid process

Derived Forms

• ˌcataˈstrophically, adverb
• catastrophic, adjective

Other Words From

• cat·a·stroph·ic [kat-, uh, -, strof, -ik], cat·a·stroph·i·cal ca·tas·tro·phal adjective
• su·per·ca·tas·tro·phe noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophe¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Greek katastrophḗ “an overturning,” from katastréphein “to overturn”; equivalent to cata- + strophe

Word History and Origins

Origin of catastrophe¹

C16: from Greek katastrophē, from katastrephein to overturn, from strephein to turn

Synonym Study

See disaster.

Example Sentences

Kennedy’s screed against fluoridation is part and parcel of a policy package that has legitimate scientists warning of a public health catastrophe in the making.

From Los Angeles Times

“We are proud of the results and for holding the city accountable for this catastrophe.”

From Los Angeles Times

In an election night speech to donors and campaign volunteers at a music venue in the Mission, Lurie drew comparisons to that catastrophe and the “inflection point” San Francisco faces today.

From Los Angeles Times

It doesn’t hit you over the head with climate catastrophe.

From Los Angeles Times

Experts have questioned the success of the offensive, with one calling it a "strategic catastrophe" given manpower shortages faced by Ukraine.

From BBC

Related Words

• accident
• adversity
• calamity
• casualty
• cataclysm
• crash
• debacle
• devastation
• disaster
• emergency
• failure
• fiasco
• hardship
• meltdown
• misery
• mishap
• tragedy
• trouble
• wreck