tragicomic
adjective
tragi·com·ic
ˌtra-ji-ˈkä-mik 
variants
or less commonly tragicomical
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, 4 Mar. 2024
Where to watch 20th Century Women: Max 08 of 20
The Florida Project (2017)
Filmmaker Sean Baker specializes in tragicomic odes to all-American oddballs and outcasts.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023
David Zellner’s screenplay mimics the tragicomic rhythm of human lives, attempting to emotionally connect the audiences to this family.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2024
What followed was a tragicomic spectacle in which Democrats and their devoted followers wrestled publicly with their own cognitive dissonance as inflation surged.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
In 10 tragicomic stories, Zeineddine explores themes that include identity, generational conflicts, war trauma, migration, sexuality, queerness, home and belonging.
—Ellen Piligian, Detroit Free Press, 7 Jan. 2024
His dubious paychecks and I.R.S. woes and benders and paternity drama and naked selfies make up a tragicomic monument to human frailty, one that seems out of place even in the hall of ne’er-do-well White House relatives—your Billy Carters, your Roger Clintons.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2023
Bailey’s biography attests to the ways that Roth’s obsessive drive to manipulate became, if not stronger, then at least more desperate in his later years, as the tragicomic aspects of his nature came into relief.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
There were a few tragicomic final scenes — a drunken occupier stood in a plaza, firing into the air, until he was confronted.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
Where to watch 20th Century Women: Max 08 of 20
The Florida Project (2017)
Filmmaker Sean Baker specializes in tragicomic odes to all-American oddballs and outcasts.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2023
David Zellner’s screenplay mimics the tragicomic rhythm of human lives, attempting to emotionally connect the audiences to this family.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2024
What followed was a tragicomic spectacle in which Democrats and their devoted followers wrestled publicly with their own cognitive dissonance as inflation surged.
—Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023
In 10 tragicomic stories, Zeineddine explores themes that include identity, generational conflicts, war trauma, migration, sexuality, queerness, home and belonging.
—Ellen Piligian, Detroit Free Press, 7 Jan. 2024
His dubious paychecks and I.R.S. woes and benders and paternity drama and naked selfies make up a tragicomic monument to human frailty, one that seems out of place even in the hall of ne’er-do-well White House relatives—your Billy Carters, your Roger Clintons.
—Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2023
Bailey’s biography attests to the ways that Roth’s obsessive drive to manipulate became, if not stronger, then at least more desperate in his later years, as the tragicomic aspects of his nature came into relief.
—Hannah Gold, Harper's Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
There were a few tragicomic final scenes — a drunken occupier stood in a plaza, firing into the air, until he was confronted.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tragicomic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tragicomic
Cite this Entry
“Tragicomic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tragicomic. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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