adjective

disastrous

dih-ZAS-trus/dɪˈzæstrəs/

Causing great harm or failure.

The shelf's collapse has disastrous results for the ceramic display.

A collapsed display shelf has destroyed an entire arrangement of ceramic vessels; obvious large-scale failure of this small event, no injured person.

Etymology

disItalianill, bad

+astrLatinstar

+ousEnglishhaving the quality of

The “bad star” image referred to calamity blamed on an unfavorable planetary position. The adjective's original meaning, “ill-starred, unlucky,” broadened to describe something ruinous or greatly damaging.

In context

The Scottish Parliament112:48

to crash out of the EU without such a deal would be disastrous and we'd risk causing the most harm to the most vulnerable in our society

Debate: Inquiry into the Article 50 Withdrawal Process - 9 January 2018

More examples

Skipping the final safety check proves disastrous.
A disastrous harvest leaves many farmers in debt.
The team's disastrous start costs it a place in the playoffs.

Forms

disastrous

disaster noun — An event causing great harm or failure.

disastrously adverb — In a way causing great harm.

Similar words

catastrophic: Suggests destruction or loss on an especially large scale.
calamitous: Emphasizes widespread suffering or distress caused by serious misfortune.
ruinous: Emphasizes damage that destroys finances, prospects, or lasting value.