1
as in fatal
bringing about ruin or misfortune
a split-second, disastrous decision that I would forever regret
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devastating
causing or tending to cause destruction
a disastrous fire from which the town never fully recovered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disastrous
Vaccine and preparedness experts said the decision could be disastrous for the United States, rendering another Operation Warp Speed impossible in case of threat from disease or bioweapons.
—
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
But that would be a mistake akin to President Joe Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
Pressure had mounted within the party for Biden to step aside after a disastrous debate with Trump, and San Francisco Rep. Nancy Pelosi reportedly played a key role in persuading Biden to bow out of the race.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
Investors dumped Edison shares amid worries that the company would be found liable for one of the blazes, potentially draining the fund and leaving utilities without a cushion if another disastrous fire hits the state.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
But that would be a mistake akin to President Joe Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025
Pressure had mounted within the party for Biden to step aside after a disastrous debate with Trump, and San Francisco Rep. Nancy Pelosi reportedly played a key role in persuading Biden to bow out of the race.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
Investors dumped Edison shares amid worries that the company would be found liable for one of the blazes, potentially draining the fund and leaving utilities without a cushion if another disastrous fire hits the state.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disastrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disastrous
Adjective
-
Miami police are investigating a fatal shooting Wednesday night that left one man dead.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
-
This was the second fatal shooting in Over-the-Rhine within 24 hours.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
More than six months after devastating wildfires swept across the Los Angeles region in January, the recovery efforts continue.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Henson opened up about the devastating moment in a candid conversation with Lena Waithe in the latest episode of the Lemonada Media podcast Legacy Talk.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The fishermen were forced to abandon the Titan after a series of unfortunate events hit the ship.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
After the unfortunate withdrawal of U.S. Classic bars champion Myli Lew in podium training, the women’s bars title is even more up for grabs.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The storms brought destructive heavy rainfall and flash floods to the nation’s Sao Vicente island.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Wisconsin's miserable summer weather is also affecting our mental health, experts say Few things are as destructive as a flood.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disastrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disastrous. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share