'Disaster' definitions:
Definition of 'disaster'
From: WordNet
noun
A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune; "lack of funds has resulted in a catastrophe for our school system"; "his policies were a disaster" [syn: catastrophe, disaster]
noun
An event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster" [syn: calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy, cataclysm]
noun
An act that has disastrous consequences
Definition of 'Disaster'
From: GCIDE
- Disaster \Dis*as"ter\, n. [F. d['e]sastre; pref. d['e]s- (L. dis-) + astre star, fr. L. astrum; a word of astrological origin. See Aster, Astral, Star.]
- 1. An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
- Disasters in the sun. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap. [1913 Webster]
- But noble souls, through dust and heat, Rise from disaster and defeat The stronger. --Longfellow.
- Syn: Calamity; misfortune; mishap; mischance; visitation; misadventure; ill luck. See Calamity. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Disaster'
From: GCIDE
- Disaster \Dis*as"ter\, v. t.
- 1. To blast by the influence of a baleful star. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To bring harm upon; to injure. [R.] --Thomson. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'disaster'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accident,
- act of God,
- adversity,
- apoplexy,
- blow,
- breakdown,
- breaking up,
- breakup,
- calamity,
- casualty,
- cataclysm,
- catastrophe,
- cave,
- cave-in,
- climax,
- collapse,
- collision,
- contretemps,
- convulsion,
- crack-up,
- crash,
- debacle,
- diastrophism,
- distress,
- fatal accident,
- fatality,
- fit,
- grief,
- ill hap,
- misadventure,
- mischance,
- misfortune,
- mishap,
- nasty blow,
- overthrow,
- paroxysm,
- pileup,
- quake,
- reverse,
- rocks,
- shipwreck,
- shock,
- smash,
- smashup,
- spasm,
- staggering blow,
- stroke,
- temblor,
- tidal wave,
- total loss,
- tragedy,
- trouble,
- tsunami,
- upheaval,
- violent death,
- washout,
- wrack,
- wreck