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

For anyone familiar with Watkins’ filmography, his handle on tragic horror should come as no surprise. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026

Many, many things have happened since then, some very positive, some tragic. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026

And a tragic case in Minnesota shows why publicly available personal information deserves a closer look. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

The storyline has broadly been kept secret, but it is known to center on the intense relationship between Virat (Rane) and Silaa (Khateeb) that takes a tragic and violent turn. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026