as in hamartia
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Recent Examples of tragic flaw
Transit improvements will also give many residents better opportunities for jobs, because transportation will not be their tragic flaw.
—
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
The diva must have great dignity, but also a tragic flaw.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Many people think of parent-child relationships as the most formative ones—the source of attachment styles, daddy issues, tragic flaws.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2024
The political actors onstage in Milwaukee wore their tragic flaws on their sleeves.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Thomas is selfless and fearless in his quest to do good, but his tragic flaws of hubris, stubbornness and self-destructiveness become his undoing.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2023
His obsession proved his tragic flaw.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet that benefit concealed a tragic flaw.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2022
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2025
The diva must have great dignity, but also a tragic flaw.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Many people think of parent-child relationships as the most formative ones—the source of attachment styles, daddy issues, tragic flaws.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2024
The political actors onstage in Milwaukee wore their tragic flaws on their sleeves.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023
Thomas is selfless and fearless in his quest to do good, but his tragic flaws of hubris, stubbornness and self-destructiveness become his undoing.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2023
His obsession proved his tragic flaw.
—Pablo Sandoval, Variety, 3 Oct. 2022
Yet that benefit concealed a tragic flaw.
—Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 24 Aug. 2022
That tendency toward self-critique may ultimately have been the tragic flaw of Menand’s midcentury creatives.
—Beverly Gage, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragic flaw
Noun
-
Kennedy’s ruthlessness and ambition—which are treated as the Kennedys’ hamartia in Chappaquiddick—are swept under the rug of his compassion.—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
30 Apr. 2018
Noun
-
The former wins in the history books, but lots of fans have a soft spot for the latter.—
Juan J. Arroyo,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Southerners will always have a soft spot for King’s Hawaiian Rolls, and one visit to a church supper is proof.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Memphis’ Ja Morant and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson represent two more All-Star level players who can be had at a steep discount, largely because of their own undoing with off-court drama impacting on-court performance.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Jealousy proves Stiller’s undoing.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tragic flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragic%20flaw. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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