What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Waterloo
Example
The company's bankruptcy was their Waterloo. [Waterloo: noun]
Example
The team suffered a crushing defeat, it was their Waterloo. [Waterloo: metaphorical usage]
disaster
Example
The earthquake was a disaster for the city. [disaster: noun]
Example
The project was a complete disaster, nothing went according to plan. [disaster: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disaster is more commonly used than Waterloo in everyday language. Disaster is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while Waterloo is less common and refers to a specific historical event.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between Waterloo and disaster?
Both Waterloo and disaster can be used in formal and informal contexts, but disaster is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.