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
Transit improvements will also give many residents better opportunities for jobs, because transportation will not be their tragic flaw.
—
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
The diva must have great dignity, but also a tragic flaw.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
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
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
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
And yet there remains an ineffable quality, especially in Aje — a placid dreamy blankness, inimitable, touching in its naiveté, and a tragic flaw all at once.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
The diva must have great dignity, but also a tragic flaw.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
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
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
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
And yet there remains an ineffable quality, especially in Aje — a placid dreamy blankness, inimitable, touching in its naiveté, and a tragic flaw all at once.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragic flaw
Noun
-
Kennedy’s ruthlessness and ambition—which are treated as the Kennedys’ hamartia in Chappaquiddick—are swept under the rug of his compassion.—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
30 Apr. 2018
Noun
-
Avoid skin that has many soft spots or is mushy to touch.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Feb. 2026
-
See the scene And while a big tent on the beach packed with people downing burgers, drinking tequila or Kim Crawford wine and dancing to a DJ with a soft spot for Bad Bunny is not exactly luxurious, the black truffle remained for this event.—
Connie Ogle
Updated February 20,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The choice is somewhat surprising given his closeness to Rob, but Mark’s newfound suspicion of Eric seems to have been his undoing.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But Open, Heaven also courses with youth’s great agony, the cruelty that learning to love should be inexorably followed by learning to grieve its undoing.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragic flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragic%20flaw. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
