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
But just how cute can horrible tragedy be?
—
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
This is not a uniquely American tragedy.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Compounding the tragedy, the family came to learn Marc never should have played that day after sustaining a neck injury the week before.
—Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
This is not a uniquely American tragedy.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Compounding the tragedy, the family came to learn Marc never should have played that day after sustaining a neck injury the week before.
—Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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The floods have also left 11 people missing, inundated more than 116,000 houses and 5,000 hectares of crops, and damaged roads and railways, cutting off traffic and power in several areas, the government’s disaster agency said in a report.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
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Desmond McKenzie, deputy chair of Jamaica's disaster risk management council, declined to share how many people have died, although authorities separately told AP at least four deaths occurred in southwest Jamaica.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry and coach Doug Christie are trying to pick up the pieces after a season of chaos caused their predecessors to lose their jobs, but so far fate and misfortune seem to be conspiring against them.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Back in the mid-2000s, adjustable-rate loans contributed to a financial calamity.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
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Whereas much of the original play unfolds as a steady stream of callers to the Tesmans’ estate, DaCosta cleverly restages these various interpersonal calamities against the backdrop of a lavish party.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This tale of a plausible viral apocalypse makes the case that true horrors can lurk just outside our view — and possibly within us all.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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The situation devolves from there, in a sort of micro-zombie apocalypse.—
The Atlantic Culture Desk,
The Atlantic,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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