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
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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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Recent Examples of tragedy
The tragedy started when large state mental institutions, where abuse and neglect had become too common, were shut down.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
Shaped by family tragedies Robert Edward Turner III was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 19, 1938.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Ashly's death is an incomprehensible tragedy.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The entire proceedings have been marred by tragedy since the exhibition’s artistic director, Koyo Kouoh, died suddenly of liver cancer in early 2025, leaving her staff to complete the last year of work.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
Shaped by family tragedies Robert Edward Turner III was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 19, 1938.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Ashly's death is an incomprehensible tragedy.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
The entire proceedings have been marred by tragedy since the exhibition’s artistic director, Koyo Kouoh, died suddenly of liver cancer in early 2025, leaving her staff to complete the last year of work.
—Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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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
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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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Democrats have worried that their crowded field could result in two Republicans advancing, which would be a historic calamity for the party.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 May 2026
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Prior administration has proactively refunded taxpayers in past misfortune and calamity events, and/or major economic downturns.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Noun
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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
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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 7 May. 2026.
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