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

Touko’s staging reimagines the Shakespeare tragedy with a focus on misogynoir. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Obviously an insurmountable tragedy for the dad in this case. — Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

The deaths and suffering are unquestionably a grave human tragedy. — Andrew Cuomo, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Leontes has cancer of the soul, and only tragedy will eventually carve it out of him. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026