tragic

adjective

ˈtra-jik How to pronounce tragic (audio)
variants also tragical
Definition of tragicnext
as in unfortunate
of a kind to cause great distress in a tragic turn of events the area's sole remaining steel mill suddenly closed

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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 tragic Certain times bring that discussion more to the forefront, especially when tragic realities are brought to light. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 These tragic flashpoints were mythologized into persecution stories, recast by right-wing Christian leaders not as tragic consequences of radical defiance but as proof of an evil secular government at war with faith and freedom. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 The series, which starred Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde, Ashby Gentry, Sarah Rafferty and Carson MacCormac, debuted in 2023 and followed a teen who adapted to life with her guardian’s big family in a small town after a tragic loss. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 One of her nephews, Bryan Seaver, recorded a video at her request to announce the tragic news. — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tragic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragic
unfortunate
Adjective
  • There are no Cubs players involved in the TikTok series, the Cubs told me, which is unfortunate since Crow-Armstrong has acting in his DNA — his mother and father are both actors — and probably would be at least as good as Damon.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Every mosquito has a type Count me among the unfortunate souls who are mosquito magnets; something about my body chemistry is irresistible to those tiny bloodsucking fiends.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfortunate

Browse Nearby Words

tragedy
tragic
tragically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tragic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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