1
as in disaster
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misfortune
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tragedy
The Tempe tragedy, which took place on the eve of the festival’s 25th edition, prompted the organizers to cancel that year’s opening ceremony amid an unprecedented national outpouring of anger and grief.
—
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Poor Teddy and his wife Amy, who bonds with Whitaker over their love of farming, are headed for tragedy; Langdon, in another teaching moment, gets quite honest with Whitaker: There’s almost no shot Teddy doesn’t get sepsis within the next week.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
While a special minority of people are always tuned into this — Buddhist monks, say, or extreme do-gooders — most of us only see reality this way when tragedy strikes.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
In a February 2025 interview with PEOPLE, the 30 Rock star and his wife reflected on how the family is still coming to terms with the tragedy.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Poor Teddy and his wife Amy, who bonds with Whitaker over their love of farming, are headed for tragedy; Langdon, in another teaching moment, gets quite honest with Whitaker: There’s almost no shot Teddy doesn’t get sepsis within the next week.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
While a special minority of people are always tuned into this — Buddhist monks, say, or extreme do-gooders — most of us only see reality this way when tragedy strikes.
—Sigal Samuel, Vox, 6 Mar. 2025
In a February 2025 interview with PEOPLE, the 30 Rock star and his wife reflected on how the family is still coming to terms with the tragedy.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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Related article What is ‘Kessler Syndrome’ — and why do some scientists think the space disaster scenario has already started?—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
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But what if fossil fuel investments, which have been dragging for a decade, are headed toward disaster?—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Agnes no doubt spent an enormous time wallowing in her misfortune, but that’s not the picture Victor is presenting here.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
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That success, Benicio said, has attracted at least one scammer attempting to capitalize on his family’s misfortune.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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As the game’s writer and creative director, Druckmann was the lead architect of its astonishing story of grief and trauma amid a zombie apocalypse.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
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Post-rationalists, by contrast, take a range of attitudes toward that approaching apocalypse.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration plans to all but eliminate the office that oversees America’s recovery from the largest disasters, raising questions about how the United States will rebuild from hurricanes, wildfires and other calamities made worse by climate change.—
Christopher Flavelle,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
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Dozens of cities began adopting similar measures, posing a potential financial calamity for SoCalGas.—
Ari Plachta,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to tragedy
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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