1
as in disasters
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the earthquake and the ensuing damage was the worst tragedy to ever befall the city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misfortunes
bad luck or an example of this
it's the tragedy of many great artists not to be recognized for their genius until after they're dead
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 tragedies
Republicans, who say school security and improving mental health services are the best way to avoid future tragedies, have firmly opposed any new gun control measures.
—
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, these tragedies also reveal the fractures in our society, the lack of interconnectedness, where all that seems to matter is my satisfaction, my opinion, and my way of life.
—Barry Gelman, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
An attack in Pennsylvania that killed three officers and critically injured two others is now among the nation’s deadliest tragedies of the last 25 years involving law enforcement.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Five Kansas City Fire Department employees who have been involved in motor vehicle tragedies or convicted of serious felonies over the years were not disciplined and were allowed to remain on the job, a new court filing reveals.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge has been the site of tragedies.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Years after the football player hung up his cleats, he was dealt a series of personal tragedies that could level anyone.
—Forbestv, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
So where does that leave us after last week’s tragedies?
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
For nearly three decades, Colorado has experienced some of the highest-profile shootings in the nation – tragedies that claimed the lives of ordinary Americans sitting in classrooms or movie theaters, shopping for groceries or dancing at a nightclub.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, these tragedies also reveal the fractures in our society, the lack of interconnectedness, where all that seems to matter is my satisfaction, my opinion, and my way of life.
—Barry Gelman, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
An attack in Pennsylvania that killed three officers and critically injured two others is now among the nation’s deadliest tragedies of the last 25 years involving law enforcement.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Five Kansas City Fire Department employees who have been involved in motor vehicle tragedies or convicted of serious felonies over the years were not disciplined and were allowed to remain on the job, a new court filing reveals.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025
Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge has been the site of tragedies.
—Steven Martinez, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Years after the football player hung up his cleats, he was dealt a series of personal tragedies that could level anyone.
—Forbestv, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
So where does that leave us after last week’s tragedies?
—John J. Donohue, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
For nearly three decades, Colorado has experienced some of the highest-profile shootings in the nation – tragedies that claimed the lives of ordinary Americans sitting in classrooms or movie theaters, shopping for groceries or dancing at a nightclub.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedies
Noun
-
Last year alone, disasters costing $11 billion hit Florida, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information, with a total cost between $300 billion and $450 billion from 1980 to 2024.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
At the walkthrough, County Board Chair Marcelia Nicholson implored the federal government to recognize the importance of funding projects that move the needle toward renewable energy and away from worsening climate disasters across the country.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But since June 13th—also the date when the Mets’ major misfortunes began—the Yankees have had a losing record, and have tumbled out of first place.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
24 Aug. 2025
-
But as much as Nashville artists love to dissect their misfortunes in song, Monroe has gone in almost the opposite direction with her latest project.—
Nancy Kruh,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Families that embrace this mindset see setbacks not as catastrophes but as tuition.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The story grabbed him thematically too, given the increasing devastation caused by wildfires and other environmental catastrophes.—
Tomris Laffly,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The audience for 2025’s reel of zombie apocalypses lives in a world shaped, in part, by Americans’ refusal to accept an aging Joe Biden’s ineligibility for President.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
If these calamities unfold, the revenue projections, total costs and net transfer balances will be a little lower, too, with the cumulative cashflow balance being higher, at £161million by the summer of 2028.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Levine Cava bristled, saying the only money left to fund the choppers would be the county’s emergency fund — dollars reserved for hurricanes or other calamities.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedies. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share