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
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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
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Example Sentences
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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
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The Chernobyl disaster is the worst nuclear power plant accident ever in terms of death toll and cost.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Satellite connectivity can act as a backup during disasters like hurricanes or wildfires.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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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
-
In the context of extreme space weather, some individuals or groups may interpret such an event as an impending apocalypse.—
Ryan French,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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The SaaS apocalypse, in his telling, is not hype.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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