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
When his estranged daughter Sam tracks him down, in a last-ditch effort to dig her way out of serious trouble, Mickey must choose between rekindling his relationship with his daughter in the face of a terrible tragedy or pursuing a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
In response to recurring tragedies, the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act was signed into law in 2022.
—News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Here’s more in this story that proves forgiveness can overshadow tragedy.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
We’re almost inoculated by tragedy, although not in this case.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
In response to recurring tragedies, the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act was signed into law in 2022.
—News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Here’s more in this story that proves forgiveness can overshadow tragedy.
—Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
We’re almost inoculated by tragedy, although not in this case.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
The organization focuses on the big disasters that often grip the headlines, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes – but also offers information about preparing for winter storms, tsunamis, tornados, lightning, hail and extreme heat.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Freeport-McMoRan is likely to rebound from an environmental disaster last month at its giant Grasberg mine in Indonesia that led the copper and gold producer to cut its production estimates, according to UBS.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Amid the Mets' misfortunes, Michael Kay, a radio host and play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees, decided to weigh in.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Unimaginable misfortunes have the Ravens in this precarious situation, and certainly could continue.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Furthermore, a zombie apocalypse wouldn’t even scratch the surface of weirdest things to happen in the fictional town of Riverdale.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Believe it or not, the zombie apocalypse has reached the MCU.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The piling on of hurdles, unforeseen challenges, and calamities is almost ridiculous.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
-
For Israelis, fearing for the hostages, led by our government into a moral calamity whose effects will reverberate for generations.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share