as in hamartia
Related Words
Relevance
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 tragic flaw
Many people think of parent-child relationships as the most formative ones—the source of attachment styles, daddy issues, tragic flaws.
—
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2024
The political actors onstage in Milwaukee wore their tragic flaws on their sleeves.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Thomas is selfless and fearless in his quest to do good, but his tragic flaws of hubris, stubbornness and self-destructiveness become his undoing.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2023
His obsession proved his tragic flaw.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet that benefit concealed a tragic flaw.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2022
There’s some tragic flaw there.
—Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2021
Eddie is the Oberyn Martell of Stranger Things: a colorful, big personality with a tragic flaw.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2022
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2024
The political actors onstage in Milwaukee wore their tragic flaws on their sleeves.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Thomas is selfless and fearless in his quest to do good, but his tragic flaws of hubris, stubbornness and self-destructiveness become his undoing.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2023
His obsession proved his tragic flaw.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet that benefit concealed a tragic flaw.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2022
There’s some tragic flaw there.
—Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2021
Eddie is the Oberyn Martell of Stranger Things: a colorful, big personality with a tragic flaw.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragic flaw
Noun
-
In reality, the 64-year-old actress has a soft spot for senior dogs.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
22 June 2025
-
McKinney Between 35 to 50 minutes from Dallas McKinney, Texas, has a little something for everybody, starting with those with a soft spot for charming downtowns.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
The 17th hole proved to be Hatton’s undoing as the Englishman drove the ball into the rough on the downslope of a greenside bunker.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
15 June 2025
-
As with the first meeting, the third quarter proved to be the Sparks’ undoing.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragic flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragic%20flaw. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share