What is disastrous? Pronunciation and usage in English

disastrous means . Learn how to pronounce and use disastrous through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of disastrous

disastrousadjective

/dɪˈzɑːstrəs//dɪˈzæstrəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "disastrous" in English. It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˌdɪsˈstrɑːsər/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. dis-: Pronounced like "dis" in "dislike" – a short, quick "d" sound followed by "ih." Think of it as "dis."

  2. -stra-: This is the trickiest part. It's a diphthong (a blend of two vowel sounds). It sounds like "stray" BUT with a slightly broader "a" sound. It's a bit like saying "strā" (with a wide 'a' sound). Imagine the sound in "stare" but a little more open.

  3. -dis-: Pronounced like “dis” again – a short “d” followed by “ih”.

  4. -ter: Pronounced like "tur" as in "turn".

Putting it all together:

It sounds roughly like: "Dis-stray-dis-tur"

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the third syllable – "dis-stra-ser." This means you want that syllable to be the loudest and most emphasized.
  • The "a" sound in "-stra-": This is the key. It's not like the short "a" in "cat." It's a wider, more open "a" sound, like in "stare" or "far."
  • Smooth transition: Try to say the syllables smoothly together, without a noticeable pause between them.

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some similar words to practice with (e.g., "astronomical")?

Usage and examples with the word disastrous in English

Let's break down how to use the word "disastrous" effectively in English. It's a strong word, so it's important to use it appropriately.

1. Meaning:

"Disastrous" means causing or characterized by disaster; extremely bad or unfortunate. It describes something that has resulted in severe damage, loss, or misfortune.

2. Parts of Speech:

  • Adjective: This is the most common usage. You use it to describe something as disastrous. (e.g., "The hurricane was a disastrous event.")
  • Adverb: (Less common) You can use it to modify a verb, describing how something happened disastrously. (e.g., "He played the game disastrously.")

3. How to Use It - Examples:

  • Describing Events:

    • "The earthquake caused disastrous damage to the city."
    • "The company's stock plummeted after the disastrous quarterly report."
    • "The wildfire was a disastrous setback for the local ecosystem."
    • "The volcanic eruption led to a disastrous chain of events."

  • Describing Performances/Attempts:

    • "His attempt to bake a cake was disastrous – it was completely burnt."
    • "The presentation went disastrously wrong when the projector malfunctioned."
    • "She sang the song disastrously, missing several notes."

  • Describing Situations:

    • "The meeting was a disastrous waste of time."
    • "His decision was disastrous for the project."
    • "The weather turned disastrous, bringing torrential rain and flooding."

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can help you vary your language and avoid overusing "disastrous." Here are some options:

  • Severe: (very serious) - “A severe storm”
  • Catastrophic: (extremely bad, often involving widespread damage) - “A catastrophic failure”
  • Devastating: (causing great damage or distress) - “A devastating loss”
  • Disappointing: (causing disappointment) - “A disappointing outcome”
  • Unfortunate: (bad luck) – “An unfortunate accident”
  • Horrible: (extremely bad) – “A horrible result”

5. Tips for Using "Disastrous" Effectively:

  • Don't overuse it: It's a strong word. Reserve it for situations where the consequences are truly significant. Overusing it can weaken your impact.
  • Provide context: Elaborate on why something is disastrous. Don't just say "It was disastrous." Explain the negative effects. (“It was disastrous because the entire supply chain was disrupted.”)
  • Be specific: Instead of just saying something is "disastrous," try to describe the details of the negative consequences.

6. Example Sentences Combining Several Tips:

  • "The sudden drop in sales was a disastrous blow to the company's profits, leading to significant layoffs and a decline in investor confidence." (This is specific and provides context)
  • “The pilot’s decision to land in the storm was disastrous, resulting in a crash and multiple fatalities.” (Strong and descriptive)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write about? (e.g., a news report, a story, an email?)
  • Can you give me a sentence you're struggling with that includes the word "disastrous"?

Synonyms for the word disastrous

Practice with vocabulary disastrous

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent cybersecurity breach proved to be a ___________ setback for the company's reputation and customer trust.
  2. Without adequate funding and proper planning, the ambitious new venture is likely to face a ___________ outcome.
  3. Despite the team's best efforts, the technical issues during the product launch were quite ___________ and affected sales initially.
  4. The consultant advised the board against expanding into a saturated market, warning of potentially ___________ financial implications.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following words best describe a situation with extremely negative and far-reaching consequences, such as a major economic collapse? a) Unfortunate b) Challenging c) Disastrous d) Inconvenient e) Catastrophic

  2. A lack of proper risk assessment can lead to ___________ project failures. a) minor b) disastrous c) manageable d) significant e) successful

  3. The unexpected policy changes had a ___________ effect on the public's perception of the government. a) neutral b) disastrous c) negligible d) detrimental e) positive

  4. The persistent delays in the supply chain proved ___________ to our quarterly profit margins. a) beneficial b) detrimental c) helpful d) advantageous e) constructive

  5. After the merger, managing the diverse corporate cultures became an ___________ task for the HR department. a) effortless b) straightforward c) arduous d) easy e) simple

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden market crash caused immense and widespread damage to countless small businesses. (Use "disastrous" or a related word form)
  2. Their inadequate cybersecurity measures led to extremely severe and unwanted outcomes, including a significant data breach. (Use "disastrous" or a related word form)
  3. The decision to launch the product without thorough testing proved to be incredibly problematic for the company. (Do NOT use "disastrous", use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent cybersecurity breach proved to be a disastrous setback for the company's reputation and customer trust.
  2. Without adequate funding and proper planning, the ambitious new venture is likely to face a disastrous outcome.
  3. Despite the team's best efforts, the technical issues during the product launch were quite disruptive and affected sales initially.
  4. The consultant advised the board against expanding into a saturated market, warning of potentially dire financial implications.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Disastrous, e) Catastrophic
  2. b) disastrous, d) significant
  3. b) disastrous, d) detrimental
  4. b) detrimental
  5. c) arduous

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sudden market crash had a disastrous effect on countless small businesses.
  2. Their inadequate cybersecurity measures resulted in disastrous consequences, including a significant data breach.
  3. The decision to launch the product without thorough testing proved to be catastrophic for the company.

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