Great misfortune is a term used to describe a wide range of unfortunate events, from the minor to the catastrophic. CALAMITY (8 letters), CATASTROPHE (11 letters), TRAGEDY (7 letters), DISASTER (8 letters), CATACLYSM (9 letters), and TRIBULATION (11 letters) are all words that can be used to describe great misfortune. CALAMITY and DISASTER refer to a sudden and unexpected event that causes great distress or suffering, while CATASTROPHE and CATACLYSM refer to a more severe event that causes widespread destruction. TRAGEDY and TRIBULATION refer to a prolonged period of suffering or distress.