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
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Recent Examples of tragic
The film, which unfolds over a few chilly weeks in April, 2023, is set in motion by a rare tragic outcome: Nina delivers a baby who, after a few minutes, is pronounced dead.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
First published in 2022, the book tells the story of Kenna Rowan (Monroe), a young mother who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic accident.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Although these tragic events make national headlines, the data shows small plane crashes have dropped significantly over the last two decades.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
In the middle of all that writing about grief, there were moments of remembering things that happened before the tragic events, and the gratitude for those little breaks, shots of inspiration, that wouldn’t have otherwise come to you without those clouds of depression.
—Cat Woods, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragic
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
First published in 2022, the book tells the story of Kenna Rowan (Monroe), a young mother who returns to her hometown after serving five years in prison for a tragic accident.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Although these tragic events make national headlines, the data shows small plane crashes have dropped significantly over the last two decades.
—Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
In the middle of all that writing about grief, there were moments of remembering things that happened before the tragic events, and the gratitude for those little breaks, shots of inspiration, that wouldn’t have otherwise come to you without those clouds of depression.
—Cat Woods, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragic
Adjective
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Such a difficult call really spotlighted for the first time how tough a situation he has been left in by Eddie Howe’s unfortunate absence (due to pneumonia).—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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In 2022, Manhattan Federal Judge Jed Rakoff, who presided over both trials, decided The Times was not liable for defamation while jurors were deliberating, that the error amounted to unfortunate editorializing but not libel.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragic. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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