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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of tragedy
In the resulting tragedy, 167 men died (30 bodies were never recovered) and about 730 tons of oil were spilled.
—
AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025
While the focus remains on frantic search for missing people in the Texas flood zone, this weekend’s tragedy is already heightening discussion on shifting federal climate policy.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
Jacobson said the sorrow among Amira’s family and friends was tempered by a supportive community, including members of the Mosque Foundation who visited Richards after the tragedy.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
A couple enjoying a relaxing countryside vacation with their three dogs had the trip thrown into chaos when tragedy struck.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
AZCentral.com, 6 July 2025
While the focus remains on frantic search for missing people in the Texas flood zone, this weekend’s tragedy is already heightening discussion on shifting federal climate policy.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025
Jacobson said the sorrow among Amira’s family and friends was tempered by a supportive community, including members of the Mosque Foundation who visited Richards after the tragedy.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
A couple enjoying a relaxing countryside vacation with their three dogs had the trip thrown into chaos when tragedy struck.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
-
As someone takes on roles that have elements of power associated with it, that can be a recipe for disaster.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Lighting effects, which demonstrate how self-driving vehicles avoid disaster, may give vibes from Magic Kingdom’s Tron Lightcycle / Run coaster.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
But there is more than a vague element of misfortune in Cassidy’s story.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
First responders, Tahoe residents, experienced captains and experts on weather and safety painted a picture of both extreme misfortune and lucky coincidences that day.—
Ethan Wolin
Updated July 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
The film, as per the press notes, redefines human fears in the face of apocalypse in a contemporary dystopia that puts Black and Indigenous characters at the center of a story about people defending their land from those who would kill them for it without a second thought.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
3 July 2025
-
Ramsey currently stars as apocalypse survivor Ellie on the HBO zombie drama The Last of Us; it was renewed for Season 3 in April, days ahead of the Season 2 premiere.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Promises to be full of dry banter in the face of historical upheaval and emotional calamity, which is my favorite Alameddine mode.—
Literary Hub
July 1,
Literary Hub,
1 July 2025
-
This approach came of age following the ecological calamity of the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and remains the planet’s most successful conservation approach.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share