Disaster vs. Catastrophe

Disasternoun

An unexpected natural or man-made catastrophe of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life or sometimes permanent change to the natural environment.

Disasternoun

An unforeseen event causing great loss, upset or unpleasantness of whatever kind.

Disasternoun

An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent.

Disasternoun

An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.

Disasterverb

To blast by the influence of a baleful star.

Disasterverb

To bring harm upon; to injure.

Disasternoun

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune;

Disasternoun

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune;

Disasternoun

an act that has disastrous consequences

Disaster

A disaster is a serious problem occurring over a short or long period of time that causes widespread human, material, economic or environmental loss which exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Developing countries suffer the greatest costs when a disaster hits – more than 95% of all deaths caused by hazards occur in developing countries, and losses due to natural hazards are 20 times greater (as a percentage of GDP) in developing countries than in industrialized countries.

Catastrophenoun

Any large and disastrous event of great significance.

Catastrophenoun

(insurance) A disaster beyond expectations

Catastrophenoun

(narratology) The dramatic event that initiates the resolution of the plot; the dénouement.

Catastrophenoun

(mathematics) A type of bifurcation, where a system shifts between two stable states.

Catastrophenoun

An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things; a final event, usually of a calamitous or disastrous nature; hence, sudden calamity; great misfortune.

Catastrophenoun

The final event in a romance or a dramatic piece; a denouement, as a death in a tragedy, or a marriage in a comedy.

Catastrophenoun

A violent and widely extended change in the surface of the earth, as, an elevation or subsidence of some part of it, effected by internal causes.

Catastrophenoun

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune;

Catastrophenoun

a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune;

Catastrophenoun

a sudden violent change in the earth's surface