tragedy

noun

ˈtra-jə-dē How to pronounce tragedy (audio)
Definition of tragedynext
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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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 The tragedy of three years ago remains a defining part of daily life, and many residents are still navigating the long arc of recovery, yet the island also depends on tourism to rebuild its economy and support local families. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2026 Nicole says that as an adult, her brother faced unbearable tragedy when one of his children died. — Edie Peffley, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 Ryan Murphy’s 2026 FX series The Shards, however, is a tragedy of adaptation. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2026 Lucas believes the city also has a responsibility to celebrate more than its tragedies. — Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
  1. disaster
  2. misfortune
  3. catastrophe
  4. calamity
  5. apocalypse
Noun
  • Next week, for the first time ever, Taiwan will deliberately slow its mobile internet speed, testing how citizens would communicate if bandwidth becomes scarce in emergencies ranging ⁠from disasters to a Chinese invasion.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • There was another near disaster when, two weeks out from the wedding, the couple learned their venue couldn’t accommodate them.
    — Jessica Salter, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of disaster
Noun
  • In this family, Shigejiro seemed to be cloaked in a waterproof tarpaulin that repelled the currents of misfortune.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Or more specifically, had the misfortune of living in Patrick Mahomes’ AFC.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of misfortune
Noun
  • The story follows exiled prince Rama (Ranbir Kapoor) and his consort Sita (Sai Pallavi) through exile into catastrophe, as Sita’s abduction at the hands of Ravana (Yash) sets in motion an epic war between righteousness and evil.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • In fact, the war provided the exact lifeline that Putin needed to rescue him from economic catastrophe.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 30 July 2026
Definition of catastrophe
Noun
  • Yoon drew extensively on these themes in his earlier works—most recently in the novel Run Me to Earth and the Story Prize–winning collection The Hive and the Honey—and his oeuvre depicts war’s psychological and material calamities.
    — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • But his avuncular encouragement of Tony in what could be absolute folly brings real heart to this section — until calamity intrudes.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026
Definition of calamity
Noun
  • While his beloved character didn’t outlive the zombie apocalypse, his romance with Pak bloomed.
    — Adrianne Reece, InStyle, 28 July 2026
  • The widow certainly has not had a lot to smile about in the zombie apocalypse, and definitely not to the man who brutally murdered her husband.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 27 July 2026
Definition of apocalypse

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Cite this Entry

“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tragedy

Nglish: Translation of tragedy for Spanish Speakers

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