catastrophe
Definitions
An event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
A final event in a dramatic work that completes the downfall of the central character.
A sudden violent change in the earth's surface.
Examples
The failure of the dam resulted in a total catastrophe for the surrounding villages.
Without proper planning, the project could easily turn into a financial catastrophe.
Synonyms
disaster calamity tragedy cataclysm devastation fiasco misfortune