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

Kallinikou has presence to burn, even if her tart-with-a-heart storyline is as old as a Greek tragedy but without the poetry. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Accidents still happen, of course, but no more frequently than in other parts of the world, meaning the Triangle doesn’t attract tragedy. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

In both works, the disturbing cruelty of the classical age is matched by an audiovisual sublimity that reflects the poetry of the tragedies—by Sophocles and Euripides, respectively—on which the films are based. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

De Niro and Scott are on hand as an estranged father and son who are brought back together when Scott’s character’s young son is abducted after the pair move back to his sleepy hometown after a horrible tragedy. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 14 July 2026