Calamity/kəˈlæməti/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Severity Scale Use 'calamity' for events more destructive than 'accidents' but less than 'apocalypses'. The forest fire was a calamity for the affected wildlife. Pro Tip 2/3Human Suffering 'Calamity' often implies that people were harmed or are in distress. The famine represented a great calamity for the region. Pro Tip 3/3Not Personal Typically not used for personal troubles unless they're extremely severe, affecting many. Losing her job was a calamity for her entire family.