tragic

adjective

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trag·ic | \ ˈtra-jik

variants: or less commonly tragical \ ˈtra-ji-kəl

Definition of tragic

1a : regrettably serious or unpleasant : deplorable, lamentable a tragic mistake

b : marked by a sense of tragedy

2 : of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy the tragic significance of the atomic bomb— H. S. Truman

3a : dealing with or treated in tragedy the tragic hero

b : appropriate to or typical of tragedy

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Examples of tragic in a Sentence

Their deaths were tragic and untimely. They both died in a tragic car accident. Romeo and Juliet's tragic love affair. We saw a tragic play about a man with AIDS. the tragic characters of her novel

Recent Examples on the Web These tragic and unnecessary outcomes will continue until the United States makes the investments needed to address non-medical factors that lead to poorer health. — Robert Pearl, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 Nevertheless, his dream literary dinner consists of his mother, his father (who died when Cooper was 10) and his brother, who met a tragic and untimely death. — New York Times, 8 Oct. 2021 The series is said to be an exploration of the wild, tragic and controversial life and career of Tyson, one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 27 Sep. 2021 The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is behind us now, but its stories, both tragic and inspiring, are timeless. — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2021 Her parents, family and all the community [are] devastated by this tragic and sudden loss. — Maria Pasquini, PEOPLE.com, 15 Sep. 2021 His cases are some of the most tragic and notorious in local history. — Dan Sullivan, orlandosentinel.com, 4 Sep. 2021 This was a tragic and senseless loss and certainly underlined the precarious security situation at the airport. — Angus King, Time, 1 Sep. 2021 But given the multiple shocks of the past few years, the utopian impulse that once felt so tragic and nostalgic suddenly looks curiously viable — even translated into the alien world of 12th-century monasticism. — Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tragic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.