Synonyms of tragic

tragic

adjective

ˈtra-jik 

variants also tragical

as in unfortunate

of a kind to cause great distress

in a tragic turn of events the area's sole remaining steel mill suddenly closed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfortunate
• terrible
• horrible
• regrettable
• lamentable
• shocking
• disturbing
• sad
• deplorable
• painful
• distressing
• grievous
• heartbreaking
• unlucky
• woeful
• unsettling
• disastrous
• dire
• sickening
• distressful
• awful
• dreadful
• pitiful
• heartrending
• miserable
• fearful
• severe
• poignant
• traumatic
• unbearable
• troublesome
• horrifying
• alarming
• wretched
• piteous
• doleful
• overwhelming
• crushing
• vexatious
• harrowing
• touching
• moving
• intolerable
• affecting
• excruciating
• calamitous
• perturbing
• ruthful
• sharp
• raging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rewarding
• satisfying
• gratifying
• pleasing
• encouraging
• comforting
• heartening
• inspiring
• happy
• fortunate
• lucky
• heartwarming
• cheering

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of tragic

Read This The art world was rocked this week by the tragic news that artist and art world commentator Hilde Lynn Helphenstein was found dead on Sunday in São Paulo’s Rosewood Hotel. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026

Newlywed wife Jesni Fiji, knocked out from the tragic crash and reportedly surviving with no broken bones and just cuts and bruises, awoke Saturday morning in shock and horror over what surrounded her, including her new husband Dave Fiji's body, the groom's father told Atlanta News First (ANF). —Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 2 June 2026

The documentary will premiere at several film festivals later this summer and offers an intimate look at Kelly’s career, charting his unlikely success and tragic death at 35 due to complications from AIDS. —Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 2 June 2026