这些名词均表示“灾难”或“不幸”之意。
disaster : 普通用词，指大破坏、痛苦或伤亡。
- It was the second air disaster in the region in less than two months.
这已经是该地区不到两个月内的第二次空难了。
calamity : 多指个人的不幸，比disaster严重，强调灾难引起的悲痛以及对于损失的感觉。
- He described drugs as the greatest calamity of the age.
他称毒品是这个时代最大的祸害。 - The recent flooding in the south was a calamity.
最近南方的洪水是一场灾难。
catastrophe : 语气最强，指可怕的灾难，强调最终的结局。
- They suffered an electoral catastrophe, winning a paltry 3 seats.
他们在选举中惨败，仅获得微不足道的3个席位。
misfortune : 普通用词，多批较为严重的不幸，强调不幸多由外界因素所致。
- She seemed to enjoy the misfortunes of others.
她似乎喜欢幸灾乐祸。 - He had his full share of misfortune.
他吃尽了苦头。
