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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tragedy
Nick Reiner had been living in the guest house on his parents’ property for a while before the tragedy.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
On his mother’s side, his aunt Lilo and her daughter Ellien are chased across Europe, imprisoned in Bergen-Belsen and Ravensbruck, surviving only to face more tragedy.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Abiral Hasibshourav, a USF student who was also at the court hearing, spoke about how the university's Bangladeshi community has come together in the aftermath of a tragedy.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
Forest’s story began in tragedy.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2026
On his mother’s side, his aunt Lilo and her daughter Ellien are chased across Europe, imprisoned in Bergen-Belsen and Ravensbruck, surviving only to face more tragedy.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Abiral Hasibshourav, a USF student who was also at the court hearing, spoke about how the university's Bangladeshi community has come together in the aftermath of a tragedy.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 28 Apr. 2026
Forest’s story began in tragedy.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
While stationed in Japan, Fryday helped coordinate disaster relief efforts after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
In year three, there were still injuries, and the team was a disaster.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
The latter faces more corruption up front, but both protagonists deal with their fair share of misfortune, growing up all too fast as a result.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Philadelphia singer-songwriter seeks out the mystical potential of quotidian misfortunes in a set of psychedelic-of-center bedroom pop songs.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the much-ballyhooed calamity — millions of Americans forced to go without health insurance coverage — never took place.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, the much-ballyhooed calamity — millions of Americans forced to go without health insurance coverage — never took place.—
Las Vegas Review-Journal,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ellie and Joel’s trek through the post-apocalypse remains a somber meditation on loss and brutal human nature.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
The movie stars Austin Abrams, who also starred in Weapons, as a courier who unexpectedly finds himself in the midst of what appears to be the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
