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
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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
Guthrie and her family have endured a terrible tragedy under intense public review.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
And for everyone involved in the tragedy in Bryansk, the consequences will be dire.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophocles’ tragedy is usually described as a dramatization of the irresolvable conflict between obligations to the family and to the state, or to divine law and human law.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
After the tragedy, the city fully automated the tornado sirens and issued an executive order declaring that the fire department would have primary authority over the sirens, replacing an unclear protocol.
—Cassandra Garibay, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
And for everyone involved in the tragedy in Bryansk, the consequences will be dire.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Sophocles’ tragedy is usually described as a dramatization of the irresolvable conflict between obligations to the family and to the state, or to divine law and human law.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
After the tragedy, the city fully automated the tornado sirens and issued an executive order declaring that the fire department would have primary authority over the sirens, replacing an unclear protocol.
—Cassandra Garibay, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
Hefty extra wattage is apparently needed to keep the Mar-a-Lago lights on in the event of an unforeseen disaster such as a war, or flying sports court glass, or a late ketchup delivery.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
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Only instead of the flood of a players’ strike, this time the disaster will come cloaked in the fire of an owners’ lockout.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In two of those, the Bruins had the misfortune of running into a wall — eventual champions South Carolina in 2022 and LSU in 2023.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
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Apart from her increasing unreliability, and the fact that musicals were outré, Minnelli had the misfortune of becoming famous in an era when versatility was the rage.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hawks have comforted themselves with the thought that such a calamity won’t occur.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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For years at a time, Jessie Krebs has lived on the edge — of civilization, of personal safety, and of calamity.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And while many shudder at the idea of an AI job apocalypse, others are leveraging the technology to answer complex questions.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
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Searches for the phrase job apocalypse are spiking.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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