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
The campus, which includes 36 classrooms, can house up to 800 students, according to a press release from Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation, an organization that was created in the wake of the tragedy.
—
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Joan's life was marked by perseverance in the face of tragedy.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
For a long time each incident was thought of as an isolated tragedy.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Sharing love after tragedy In the weeks and then months after Rashaad’s death, Chinara found solace in faith and family and through the counseling urged by her mother.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Megan Forrester, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Joan's life was marked by perseverance in the face of tragedy.
—Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025
For a long time each incident was thought of as an isolated tragedy.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Sharing love after tragedy In the weeks and then months after Rashaad’s death, Chinara found solace in faith and family and through the counseling urged by her mother.
—Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
The disaster level has officially hit biblical proportions.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
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There will also be a slight pass given for not having Burrow, but let’s be real, this can’t be an abject disaster.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There is, however, such a reality as too much of a good thing, even for those who imbibe in the saloon of others’ misfortune.—
Blake Toppmeyer,
USA TODAY,
9 Oct. 2025
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Hampus Lindholm had the misfortune of breaking his patella in November.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the video, an elderly man — played by Hiep Tran Nghia — gingerly hobbles around a stone town before an apocalypse of sorts strikes.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
10 Oct. 2025
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Furthermore, a zombie apocalypse wouldn’t even scratch the surface of weirdest things to happen in the fictional town of Riverdale.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The piling on of hurdles, unforeseen challenges, and calamities is almost ridiculous.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
7 Oct. 2025
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For Israelis, fearing for the hostages, led by our government into a moral calamity whose effects will reverberate for generations.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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