(~s)
1.
A ~ is a part of a country or the world which has been very seriously affected by a disaster such as an earthquake or a flood.
The region has been declared a ~.
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2.
If you describe a place, person, or situation as a ~, you mean that they are in a state of great disorder or failure. (INFORMAL)
He’s a nice old rascal but a ~ as a politician.
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