disaster

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disaster' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event or situation that causes great damage, harm, or loss, such as an earthquake, flood, or other natural disaster. Example sentence: The recent hurricane was a true disaster for the island.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Business

Environment

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a disaster".

The New York Times

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

"It's a disaster.

The New York Times - Sports

The world economy was in a tailspin and facing disaster to match the 1930s, but Brown had a plan which he had compared to the Bretton Woods agreement that shaped the world's postwar economic infrastructure.

The Guardian

One brief, unmitigated disaster later, Rangers were returning to the man who self-evidently could not win the trophy they most covet.

The Guardian - Sport

And if you detect it among your staff, can you fix it before disaster strikes?

The Guardian

Thanks in part to the publicity surrounding the Rana Plaza disaster, we can at least imagine the men and women who sew them.

The Guardian - Opinion

But two months after the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, when most of those injured and bereaved by the disaster are still waiting for compensation – though Primark, unlike other retailers who have admitted to a presence in the factory, has contributed to the compensation fund – the secret message hidden inside a piece of women's clothing is a startling image.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gregg and McParland are two of five players who are still alive from the Northern Ireland side that played in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden and Gregg, too, survived the Munich disaster.

The Guardian - Sport

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek, said it was "incomprehensible" why Australia was so quick to respond to the crisis in Iraq but so slow to respond to another humanitarian disaster in west Africa.

The Guardian

In terms of preparing cities to be as disaster-resilient as possible, the UN's office for disaster risk reduction launched its Making Cities Resilient campaign in 2010, urging local governments to raise disaster resilience awareness among citizens, invest in risk-reduction activities, and build more safely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "disaster", provide specific details about the causes, effects, and any actions taken to mitigate the damage.

Common error

Avoid using the word "disaster" to describe minor inconveniences or setbacks. Overusing it can diminish its impact when referring to genuinely catastrophic events. Instead, consider using words like "inconvenience" or "setback".

Linguistic Context

The noun "disaster" functions as a referential term designating an event or situation resulting in significant damage, loss, or suffering. As Ludwig AI highlights, it correctly and aptly describes catastrophes, tragedies, and other unfortunate events. Examples include "natural disaster" or "economic disaster".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Opinion

12%

Sport

7%

Less common in

Business

5%

Environment

4%

Politics

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "disaster" is a commonly used noun to describe an event or situation causing significant damage, loss, or suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, as well as in Opinion and Sport, reflecting its use in describing events ranging from natural catastrophes to economic downturns. When writing, use "disaster" to convey the severity and negative impact of an event. Consider related phrases like "catastrophe" or "calamity" to add nuance. Avoid overuse in minor situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

catastrophe

A stronger term emphasizing widespread devastation and loss.

calamity

Emphasizes the suddenness and severity of the event, often with tragic consequences.

tragedy

Highlights the aspect of human suffering and loss associated with the event.

cataclysm

Suggests a violent upheaval and transformation, often on a large scale.

misfortune

A general term for bad luck or an unfortunate event, less severe than "disaster".

adversity

Focuses on the hardship and challenges resulting from a difficult situation.

crisis

Implies a turning point or critical situation that demands immediate attention.

setback

Indicates a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

debacle

Emphasizes the element of failure and embarrassment in a situation.

failure

A general term for lack of success or a negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "disaster" in a sentence?

You can use "disaster" to refer to events causing significant damage, loss, or suffering, such as "The earthquake was a major disaster" or "The economic collapse was a financial disaster".

What words can I use instead of "disaster"?

Alternatives include "catastrophe", "calamity", "tragedy", or "misfortune", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "disaster" for non-physical events?

Yes, "disaster" can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical events that have devastating consequences, such as "The political scandal was a PR disaster".

What is the difference between "disaster" and "crisis"?

"Disaster" refers to an event causing significant damage or loss, while "crisis" implies a turning point or unstable situation requiring immediate action. A disaster can lead to a crisis, but they are not always the same.