tragicomic

adjective tragi·com·ic \ ˌtra-ji-ˈkä-mik \

variants: or less commonly tragicomical play \ˌtra-ji-ˈkä-mi-kəl\

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Definition of tragicomic

1 : of, relating to, or resembling tragicomedy

2 : manifesting both tragic and comic aspects

Recent Examples of tragicomic from the Web

But also featured are tragicomic government films alleging no public health risk.

— dan popkey, idahostatesman, "'I promised ... that I wouldn't give up.' Documentary shows downwinders' plight," 9 Aug. 2013
Moreover, a pair of tragicomic scenes centered on the fragility of Al’s equipment set a template for generations of self-dramatizing filmmakers.

— richard brody, The New Yorker, "The Self-Dramatizing Style of Morris Engel," 30 Mar. 2018
In between the tragicomic bits — there is much fun with accents — the performers grab instruments and sing a folk song, mostly Americana, but also Irish and such.

— kerry lengel, azcentral, "Bite-size theater reviews: 'Flora and Ulysses,' 'Bury the Hatchet,' 'Godspell'," 4 May 2018
Jackson may not draw out the full range her role's tragicomic music, but her mercilessness potently conveys the playwright's existential realism.

— charles mcnulty, latimes.com, "Glenda Jackson steals the show in a thrilling, emotionally affecting 'Three Tall Women' on Broadway," 30 Mar. 2018
Venom starts to erode Eddie’s sanity immediately, to disturbing, tragicomic effect.

— aja romano, Vox, "Watch: the new Venom trailer reveals Tom Hardy’s toothy antihero at last," 24 Apr. 2018
With intricacy and humor, Van der Vliet Oloomi relays Zebra’s brainy, benighted struggles as a tragicomic picaresque whose fervid logic and cerebral whimsy recall the work of Bolaño and Borges.

— liesl schillinger, New York Times, "Brainy and Benighted, Lost in the Books of Bolaño and Borges," 29 Mar. 2018
This tragicomic meditation on growing old is not to be missed.

— toby zinman, Philly.com, "'Three Tall Women' at the John Golden Theatre: Who could ask for more?," 2 Apr. 2018
Megh Wright outlines the tragicomic rivalry brewing between the entrepreneur and the comedy publication.

— ray rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tragicomic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tragicomic

1567

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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