General negativity:
* Nightmare: This emphasizes the unpleasant and horrifying aspects.
* Ordeal: This suggests a prolonged and difficult experience.
* Trauma: This emphasizes the emotional and psychological impact.
* Misery: This focuses on the intense suffering and unhappiness.
* Catastrophe: This implies a sudden and disastrous event.
More specific connotations:
* Disastrous: This emphasizes the negative outcome.
* Horrific: This emphasizes the terrifying nature.
* Dreadful: This suggests something very unpleasant and unwelcome.
* Awful: This is a general term for something very bad.
* Appalling: This suggests something shocking and unacceptable.
The best word to use depends on the specific context and the emotional weight you want to convey.