n.  灾难，大祸，严重的不幸 ≈ disaster

n.  麻烦，困境，不利的局面 ≈ disaster [+ for]

• catastrophic

  a.  灾难性的

  a.  极糟的; 失败的

• ecological catastrophe  生态灾难

• prevent/avert a catastrophe  避免出现灾难

• catastrophic damage  灾难性的损失

• How catastrophic natural disasters turn out to be to developing nations. 灾难性的自然灾害

• These catastrophic events caused more than $1.5 trillion in economic losses. 灾难性事件

• As there had been numerous alarming articles in the press about a climate catastrophe waiting to happen, I started looking at the sea and the beach very differently, a place where I spent so many perfect days as a child. 气候灾害/突变

• It is urgent for governments to increase the cost of using fossil fuels to an appropriate level to lessen the catastrophic effects of climate change. 减少灾难性 的影响/后果

• If the contract is cancelled, it’ll be a catastrophe for everyone concerned. 如果合同取消，对每位相关人员都将是个灾难。

• From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe. 从各个方面来看，战争都会是一场灾难。

BrE /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃn/   

NAmE /əˌbriːviˈeɪʃn/