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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of tragedy
In response to questions about the grenade incident and the state’s ongoing efforts to obtain records, Gomez said Cal/OSHA is trying to avoid future tragedies.
—
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
It’s been received as the unwelcome manipulation of a tragedy by people who don’t care much about Ukraine.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
If public safety is the objective, intervention must precede tragedy — not follow it.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
How was going from the highest of highs with your biggest album to having to deal with that tragedy personally?
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
It’s been received as the unwelcome manipulation of a tragedy by people who don’t care much about Ukraine.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026
If public safety is the objective, intervention must precede tragedy — not follow it.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
How was going from the highest of highs with your biggest album to having to deal with that tragedy personally?
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
Taken to an extreme, an ever-evolving idea of retirement could outlive drastic institutional change, perhaps enduring longer than the institutions of American democracy or beyond climate disaster.—
Trevor Jackson,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Steve DeJong will retire from the Homewood Fire Department after more than two decades to accept a position at MABAS Illinois, the statewide mutual aid and disaster response coordinator.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Azzi Fudd looks to rebound All-American Azzi Fudd struggled in UConn’s blowout win over UNC, and had a quiet first half versus the Fighting Irish with only four points and more turnovers (4) than assists (3), but despite her misfortune the Huskies still led at halftime.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
-
His misfortune derailed last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The calamity in the Atlanta race quickly drew comparisons to other errors, where leaders have mistakenly followed lead cars exiting the race course shortly before the finish.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
31 Mar. 2026
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Behind every trauma and calamity, whether personal or global, whispers of Jewish machination can be heard by those already listening for them.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But none of this means the robot apocalypse is imminent.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
6 Apr. 2026
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With its mix of Norse mythology, eighteenth-century cryptozoology, nineteenth-century science fiction, and the biblical apocalypse, the poem tells of something tragic and mysterious lying just beyond the bounds of human knowing.—
Kathryn Hughes,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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