catastrophe
noun
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When catastrophe was borrowed from Greek in the 1500s it was a term for tearjerkers: the catastrophe was the conclusion or final event of a usually tragic dramatic work. (Greek katastrophē, which means the same thing, comes from katastrephein, meaning "to overturn.") From there, the word moved on to occupy other territory relating to tragic happenings, utter failures, and the worst sort of natural disasters. Just as disaster can range from a calamitous event to one that is merely unsuccessful, catastrophe can refer to what is truly devastating as well as to what is simply deeply disheartening. In Henry IV, Part 2, Shakespeare opted to steer the word away from disaster entirely and plant it squarely in the world of burlesque: "You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I'll tickle your catastrophe!" May all our catastrophes be of such a comic variety.
Synonyms
Examples of catastrophe in a Sentence
Susan Page, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
Having emerged from a series of planet-wrecking catastrophes, human society and human biology have been radically reconstituted.
—Ron Charles, Washington Post, 16 July 2024
Netflix is planning to stream the series in 2025, with The Garden following the stories of patients brought back from the brink of catastrophe through the eyes of those administering live-saving treatment.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 July 2024
The existence of a Jewish state is considered a Nakba (catastrophe) by the Palestinian Arabs.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for catastrophe 
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Dictionary Entries Near catastrophe
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“Catastrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catastrophe. Accessed 28 Jul. 2024.
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catastrophe
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catastrophe
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