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- pronunciation:
- k
tae
str
fi
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a calamity with widespread effects; disaster.
Floods and earthquakes represent catastrophes not only for humans but for all forms of life.
- synonyms:
- calamity, cataclysm, disaster
- similar words:
- debacle, downfall, ruin, tragedy
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| definition 2: |
a disastrous conclusion or ending.
A pleasant drive in the country ended in catastrophe when a drunk driver slammed into their car.- synonyms:
- bitter end
- similar words:
- aftermath, casualty, debacle, failure, flop, ruin, ruination, tragedy, wreck
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| definition 3: |
the aftermath of the climax in a drama, esp. classical Greek tragedy; denouement.
- synonyms:
- denouement
- similar words:
- aftermath, conclusion, consummation, resolution
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| related words: |
adversity, blow, cataclysm, collapse, misfortune |
adjective + (n.)catastrophe
absolute,
apocalyptic,
awful,
biological,
climatic,
cosmic,
demographic,
devastating,
dramatic,
ecological,
economic,
environmental,
financial,
future,
genuine,
global,
greatest,
historical,
horrible,
human,
humanitarian,
immense,
imminent,
impending,
irreparable,
irrevocable,
looming,
major,
man-made,
minor,
natural,
near,
nuclear,
pending,
planetary,
potential,
random,
self-inflicted,
sheer,
spectacular,
sudden,
technological,
uncontrollable,
unfolding,
unforeseen,
unimaginable,
unparalleled,
unprecedented,
utter,
vulnerable
[See all][See only the most frequent]
verb + (n.)catastrophe
avert, avoid, blame, cause, cope, face, lead, precipitate, predict, prevent, result, risk, stave, survive, trigger, warn
(n.)catastrophe
+ verb
befall, deepen, inherit, occur, pile, strike, threaten, unfold, unleash
noun + (n.)catastrophe
awareness,
brink,
brush,
calamity,
cataclysm,
chaos,
civilization,
climate,
crisis,
cusp,
doom,
error,
extinction,
famine,
flood,
health-care,
human,
inconvenience,
likelihood,
magnitude,
midst,
nightmare,
potential,
race,
setback,
survivor,
verge,
wake,
warning
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| derivations: |
catastrophic (adj.), catastrophically (adv.) |
Catastrophe is from a Greek word that means "overturning" or complete change. It referred to the ending of a play, or the outcome of certain events. The ending could be either happy or tragic. "Catastrophe" is now mostly used for a tragic event.
The word catastrophe
contains the following part:
cata-
Greek
prefix
that means down; completely, thoroughly; against; according to
  Example words:
catabolism, cataclysm, catafalque, catalepsy, catalogue, catalyst, cataplasia, catapult, cataract, catarrh, catastrophe, catatonia, catechetical, catechize, catechumen, category, cathedra, cathedral, catheter, catholic
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