tragicomic

adjective

tragi·​com·​ic ˌtra-ji-ˈkä-mik 

variants or less commonly tragicomical

ˌtra-ji-ˈkä-mi-kəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling tragicomedy

2

: manifesting both tragic and comic aspects

Examples of tragicomic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cate Blanchett, ‘Blue Jasmine’ (2014) Blanchett delivers an enjoyably tragicomic turn in Woody Allen's dramedy as a booze-swilling, Xanax-popping hot mess. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Albee’s Tony Award-winning play is a work of tragicomic psychological realism embedded in verbal hand grenades. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 13 Feb. 2026

The story follows a young girl (Banin Ahmad Nayef) who is chosen to bake a special cake to celebrate the birthday of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, setting her on a tragicomic journey to see through the task. —Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026

Dell, the narrator of this tragicomic novel, lives in a tiny apartment that used to be a walk-in closet. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tragicomic

• anatomic
• antidromic
• astronomic
• autonomic
• cryptogamic
• diatomic
• economic
• ergonomic
• gastronomic
• monatomic
• psychonomic
• subatomic