Synonyms of tragedy

tragedy

noun

ˈtra-jə-dē 

1

as in disaster

a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction

the earthquake and the ensuing damage was the worst tragedy to ever befall the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disaster
• catastrophe
• calamity
• apocalypse
• accident
• crash
• collapse
• debacle
• fatality
• cataclysm
• upheaval
• casualty
• misfortune
• bloodbath
• meltdown
• convulsion
• Armageddon
• doomsday
• blow
• mishap
• misadventure
• paroxysm
• end-time
• mischance
• blast
• double whammy
• one-two

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• windfall
• manna
• godsend

2

as in misfortune

bad luck or an example of this

it's the tragedy of many great artists not to be recognized for their genius until after they're dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misfortune
• disaster
• hardship
• catastrophe
• accident
• misery
• mishap
• adversity
• misadventure
• fate
• ill
• trouble
• calamity
• trial
• sorrow
• mischance
• circumstance
• suffering
• disappointment
• knock
• defeat
• doom
• blow
• unhappiness
• distress
• evil
• woe
• failure
• tribulation
• curse
• cataclysm
• casualty
• setback
• destiny
• affliction
• portion
• letdown
• nonsuccess
• body blow
• fizzle
• lot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opportunity
• luck
• fortune
• stroke
• success
• chance
• strike
• serendipity
• hit
• break
• achievement
• windfall
• fluke
• accomplishment
• godsend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tragedy

Authorities confined the fire to the third-floor nursery, but the tragedy exposed questions over fire alarms, equipment and evacuation routes in Pakistan’s overstretched public hospitals. — Munir Ahmed, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The film’s turning point is a tragedy during a fight arranged by Frankie, making its second half more of a dirge than a sports film. — David Faris, TheWeek, 26 Aug. 2026

The lawyer also used his line of questioning to suggest prosecutors weren’t giving jurors the whole picture about how Banks processed the tragedy. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026

Authorities quickly declared a national emergency, as nearby roads, communication towers, and electrical infrastructure was likewise wiped out in the tragedy. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026