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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tragedy
But just how cute can horrible tragedy be?
—
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
This is not a uniquely American tragedy.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Compounding the tragedy, the family came to learn Marc never should have played that day after sustaining a neck injury the week before.
—Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
This is not a uniquely American tragedy.
—Andrew Weinstein, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Compounding the tragedy, the family came to learn Marc never should have played that day after sustaining a neck injury the week before.
—Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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For people like Wasefi, with sisters and nieces back home, no amount of tourist-friendliness can compensate for this disaster.—
Vidushi Mishti Sharma,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
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The October 10 disaster killed 16 employees at Accurate Energetic Systems, which makes military and demolition explosives about 60 miles west of Nashville.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mistakes, misfortunes, even tragedy, toxic secrets from the past—anything can happen, or may have happened.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
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Sacramento Kings general manager Scott Perry and coach Doug Christie are trying to pick up the pieces after a season of chaos caused their predecessors to lose their jobs, but so far fate and misfortune seem to be conspiring against them.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For now, the analysts who track private credit most closely see warning signs, not apocalypse.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
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And a lot of the pseudepigrapha, like the fake gospels and fake apocalypses, fill in gaps in the record that can serve latter-day, post-biblical purposes.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Whereas much of the original play unfolds as a steady stream of callers to the Tesmans’ estate, DaCosta cleverly restages these various interpersonal calamities against the backdrop of a lavish party.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
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After the calamity occurs, the movie, for a while, loses its pace.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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