supercatastrophe

Definitions

A very severe, widespread catastrophe.

rare

Examples

“Then came that supercatastrophe, that curse and blot upon civilization, the great World War.”

“It may be a vast waterfront fire, like⟳ the Staten Island ferry terminal blaze a few years ago that consumed acres of buildings; a supercatastrophe, like⟳ the Black Tom explosion; a blazing oil tanker drifting toward a pier laden with explosives; or perhaps a helicopter pilot has dunked in the river, a boat is adrift, or someone has fallen off a ferryboat.”

“Insurance underwriters very often take⟳ the same optimistic view⟳ as property owners and in many countries underestimate the long term annual cost⟳ for the rare supercatastrophes.”

CEFR level