disastrous
Ending in catastrophe
Disastrous describes something that causes or constitutes a disaster—a catastrophic failure or calamity.
A disastrous flood destroys homes; a disastrous decision leads to ruin.
The word often carries a sense of irreversibility: The merger proved disastrous for both companies.
In casual use, disastrous can mean merely very bad: a disastrous haircut, a disastrous first date.
Causing severe destruction
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- calamitousCausing great damage
- destructiveCausing severe harm
damaging · detrimental · crippling · crushing · dire · fatal · irreparable · costly
Destined to fail
- doomedDestined for destruction
- cursedUnder a malevolent spell
- jinxedAfflicted with misfortune
- star-crossedDoomed by destiny
ominous · foreboding · ill-omened · inauspicious · portentous · unlucky · hapless · ill-starred
Widespread destruction and chaos
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- bedlamState of wild disorder
anarchy · upheaval · shambles · disarray · tumult · disorder · confusion · unraveling
Seismic ground movement
- tsunamiSeismic sea surge
- hurricaneViolent tropical windstorm
- tornadoViolent rotating windstorm
- eruptionViolent sudden release
flood · landslide · avalanche · typhoon · cyclone · wildfire · drought · famine
Severe widespread destruction
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- rubbleBroken building fragments
- debrisScattered broken fragments
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
desolation · destruction · carnage · wasteland · fallout · displacement · refugees · humanitarian
Prophesied world's end
- end-timesProphesied concluding era
- ArmageddonProphesied ultimate conflict
- RagnarokNorse end of days
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
annihilation · cataclysm · prophecy · Revelation · eschatology · obliteration · world-ending · catastrophic
Violent collapse inward
- crumbleFragment gradually
- toppleCause to fall
- cave-inUnderground passage collapse
- structuralRelating to building framework
foundation · infrastructure · bridge · building · dam · subsidence · sinkhole · failure
ruinous
Causing severe destruction
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- calamitousCausing great damage
destructive · damaging · detrimental · crippling · crushing · dire · fatal · irreparable · costly · bankruptcy
ill-fated
Destined to fail
star-crossed · ominous · foreboding · ill-omened · inauspicious · portentous · unlucky · hapless · ill-starred · accursed
havoc
Widespread destruction and chaos
- mayhemViolent disorder and destruction
- pandemoniumState of utter confusion
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
bedlam · anarchy · upheaval · shambles · disarray · tumult · disorder · confusion · unraveling · meltdown
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
eruption · flood · landslide · avalanche · typhoon · cyclone · wildfire · drought · famine · plague
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- wreckageDestroyed remains of something
- rubbleBroken building fragments
- debrisScattered broken fragments
ruins · desolation · destruction · carnage · wasteland · fallout · displacement · refugees · humanitarian · reconstruction
doomsday
Prophesied world's end
- end-timesProphesied concluding era
- ArmageddonProphesied ultimate conflict
- RagnarokNorse end of days
extinction · annihilation · cataclysm · prophecy · Revelation · eschatology · obliteration · world-ending · catastrophic · terminal
implosion
Violent collapse inward
structural · foundation · infrastructure · bridge · building · dam · subsidence · sinkhole · failure · buckle
- Mercalli Scalefeeble, slight, moderate, strong, destructive
- destroyeddestroyed, demolished, annihilated, obliterated, decimated
- event adjectivesannual, scheduled, planned, recurring, upcoming
- fortunelucky, luck, fortune, fate, destiny
- outcomesoutcome, win, effect, impact, success
- shortcomingsdeficient, inadequate, lacking, inferior, subpar
disastroussuccessful
Having achieved one's aims
triumphant · winning · prosperous · stellar · excellent
disastrousbeneficial
Producing good results
helpful · constructive · salutary · wholesome · healthy
disastrousblessed
Receiving divine favor
lucky · fortunate · miraculous · providential · wondrous