An event, series of events, or situation causing great suffering, destruction, or distress, and typically involving death (esp. on a large scale…

A grievous disaster, an event or circumstance causing loss or misery; a distressing misfortune.

An event or occurrence of a ruinous or very distressing nature; a calamity; esp. a sudden accident or natural catastrophe that causes great damage…

A disastrous event; a calamity, misfortune.

figurative. A calamitous event; †a ‘blow’ to, upon (a person, institution, etc.).

A sudden disaster, wide-spread, very fatal, or signal. (In the application of exaggerated language to misfortunes it is used very loosely.)

A tragic event, a disaster. rare.

Chiefly U.S. Frequently with the. A major disaster, spec. a (prospective) large-scale earthquake.

figurative (originally U.S.). Any uncontrolled and usually disastrous event with far-reaching consequences; a sudden and decisive collapse; (Finance…