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The Vocabulary Builder Workbook of Adjectives

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disaster

IPA:

How to pronounce disaster (audio)

Dictionary definition of disaster

A profound and often devastating event or circumstance that brings about widespread destruction, suffering, or loss.
"The oil spill in the ocean was an ecological disaster, causing immense harm to marine life."

Detailed meaning of disaster

It is an occurrence that disrupts the normal functioning of a community, region, or even an entire nation. Disasters can take various forms, including natural calamities like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, as well as human-made catastrophes such as industrial accidents, terrorist attacks, or pandemics. The aftermath of a disaster typically entails significant damage to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of people, and a profound impact on the social, economic, and environmental fabric of the affected area. Disasters often require emergency response efforts, humanitarian aid, and long-term recovery and rebuilding measures to restore normalcy and help communities heal.

Example sentences containing disaster

1. The earthquake left behind a trail of destruction and marked the beginning of a humanitarian disaster.
2. The wildfire engulfed the forest, turning it into an environmental disaster.
3. The floodwaters surged through the town, causing a widespread disaster and forcing residents to evacuate.
4. The factory explosion resulted in a tragic industrial disaster, claiming several lives and injuring many others.
5. The pandemic proved to be a global disaster, affecting millions of people and disrupting economies worldwide.
6. The hurricane tore through the coastal region, leaving a path of devastation in its wake and resulting in a natural disaster declaration.

History and etymology of disaster

The noun 'disaster' traces its origins to the Italian word 'disastro,' which is a combination of 'dis,' meaning 'badly,' and 'astro,' meaning 'star.' In its etymology, 'disaster' literally means 'bad star' or 'ill-fated star.' This term reflects an ancient belief that the positions and movements of celestial bodies, particularly stars, could influence human affairs and events on Earth. A disaster was seen as an unfortunate occurrence brought about by the unfavorable alignment of the stars. Over time, the word 'disaster' evolved to describe profound and often devastating events or circumstances that bring about widespread destruction, suffering, or loss, irrespective of any celestial influence. The etymology of 'disaster' highlights the historical connection between calamitous events and the belief in the influence of celestial bodies on human destinies.

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Further usage examples of disaster

1. The airline crash was a tragic disaster, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew members on board.
2. The dam failure led to a catastrophic disaster, with entire villages being submerged under water.
3. The terrorist attack on the city center was an act of terror that resulted in a humanitarian disaster.
4. The drought had severe consequences, turning fertile lands into arid wastelands and leading to an agricultural disaster.
5. The nuclear meltdown at the power plant posed a significant environmental disaster, with long-term consequences for the surrounding area.
6. The hurricane was a natural disaster that caused widespread devastation in the coastal area.
7. The earthquake left the city in ruins, marking a colossal disaster.
8. The financial crisis of 2008 was a global economic disaster.
9. The forest fire turned into a major disaster, consuming acres of land.
10. The pandemic has been an unprecedented disaster for public health.
11. The shipwreck was a maritime disaster with tragic consequences.
12. The factory explosion was a workplace disaster that resulted in injuries.
13. The flood in the valley was a natural disaster, displacing many families.
14. The nuclear meltdown was a catastrophic environmental disaster.
15. The stock market crash was an economic disaster for investors.
16. The terrorist attack on the city was a horrifying disaster.
17. The oil spill in the ocean was an ecological disaster.
18. The airplane crash was a tragic aviation disaster.
19. The power outage during the winter storm was a localized disaster.
20. The war in the region led to a humanitarian disaster.
21. The building collapse was a structural engineering disaster.
22. The drought in the region became an agricultural disaster.
23. The volcanic eruption was a geological disaster of immense proportions.
24. The space shuttle explosion was a space exploration disaster.
25. The cyberattack on the company's data was a digital disaster with far-reaching consequences.

Consequences and Reactions, Obstacles and Hardships, Destruction and Devastation

adversity,blight,calamity,cataclysm,catastrophe,debacle,devastation,fiasco,misfortune,mishap,ruin,tragedy

catastrophe, blessing, success, boon

eb68db_c1c2b9706dd44120a680a8054de8a108.mp3

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