1. (n.) Any great misfortune or cause of misery; -- generally applied to events or disasters which produce extensive evil, either to communities or individuals.

2. (n.) A state or time of distress or misfortune; misery.

accident adversity affliction bane blow bugbear burden casualty cataclysm catastrophe collapse collision contretemps crack-up crash cross crushing burden curse death desolation destruction devastation disaster disease distress evil fatal accident fatality grief grievance hardship harm ill hap infliction misadventure mischance misery misfortune mishap nasty blow nemesis open wound pest pestilence pileup plague reverse ruin ruination running sore scourge shipwreck shock smash smashup staggering blow thorn torment tragedy trial tribulation trouble vexation violent death visitation woe wreck wretchedness