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
Cincinnati Ballet's 'Swan Lake' This classic, romantic tragedy is a must-see for romantics.
—
Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 2026
This is a doc about tragedy, culture, and a community that is still under attack today.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
In times of tragedy, community is the comfort many seek.
—Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Her family was struck by tragedy when her older sister, Stacey, was killed while on vacation in Hawaii.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Feb. 2026
This is a doc about tragedy, culture, and a community that is still under attack today.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
In times of tragedy, community is the comfort many seek.
—Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Her family was struck by tragedy when her older sister, Stacey, was killed while on vacation in Hawaii.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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Another measure, House Bill 1645, would create state versions of FEMA programs as Mississippi officials prepare for reduced federal disaster support.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The February 2021 freeze became one of the deadliest and costliest disasters in state history.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There’s some luck involved with that, but there’s far more to it than misfortune.—
Sam McDowell
February 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
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This was a window where Villa had to adjust to injury misfortune and, all the while, satisfy Emery’s wishes for improvement.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And perhaps no one is more familiar with how thin the line is between triumph and calamity than Vonn.—
Will Graves,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
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James Gilbert / Getty Images College sports’ latest existential crisis is a calamity of its own making.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Sure, there’s the intimation of a world gone to pieces, whether from a quantum apocalypse or an ecological catastrophe; there’s the presentation of a modern self, stripped of its qualities and evacuated of purpose.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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The first time was in 2009, when papers across the country were slashing books coverage in an attempt to stave off budgetary apocalypse.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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