tragic flaw

noun

: a flaw in character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy

Examples of tragic flaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cox’s film is biased in Bill’s favor, portraying him as a lapdog whose love for this screeching, spiteful, beady-eyed woman is his great tragic flaw. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

So there’s a sort of tragic flaw right from the beginning in our telling. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 24 July 2026

Transit improvements will also give many residents better opportunities for jobs, because transportation will not be their tragic flaw. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025

The diva must have great dignity, but also a tragic flaw. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tragic flaw

• allantois
• baccarat
• chickasaw
• mackinaw
• overawe
• oversaw
• quebecois
• yojana
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw

Kids Definition

tragic flaw

noun

: a defect in the character of a good person (as the hero of a tragedy) that causes his or her destruction