catastrophe Play nounAn event causing great and usually sudden damage or suffering; a disaster. SYNONYMS accidentadversityafflictionbaleblightblowcalamitycar crashcataclysmcrisisdisasterdistressfailureholocaustmeltdownmisadventuremischancemisfortunemishantermishapreverseruinruinationshocktragedytrialtribulationtroublewhammywoe