disastrous

adjective

di·​sas·​trous di-ˈza-strəs 

 also  -ˈsa-

1

: attended by or causing suffering or disaster : calamitous

a disastrous flood

2

: terrible, horrendous

a disastrous score

disastrously adverb

Synonyms

• calamitous
• cataclysmal
• cataclysmic
• catastrophic
• damning
• destructive
• fatal
• fateful
• ruinous
• unfortunate

Examples of disastrous in a Sentence

Half the city was destroyed by a disastrous fire.

The bad weather could have a disastrous effect on the area's tourism industry.

His failure to back up the computer files had disastrous consequences.

The strike was economically disastrous.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its cessation would cause an immediate breakdown in command and control across Ukrainian frontlines, which would be militarily disastrous. —Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2025

That call came after Biden's disastrous showing in a president debate on June 27. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025

Then the Giants decided to delve into Rodgers’ world despite having a front-row seat for his disastrous two-year stint with the New York Jets that ended with five wins and everyone getting fired last season. —Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

His loss to Ali was disastrous to him but exhilarating for Ali’s fans. —Tony Paige, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1