tragic

[traj-ik] / ˈtrædʒ ɪk /

ADJECTIVE

catastrophic, very bad

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appalling awful calamitous cataclysmic deadly deplorable destructive dire disastrous dreadful fatal fateful grievous grim harrowing heartbreaking miserable painful pathetic pitiful sad shocking terrible unfortunate

WEAK

adverse anguished crushing deathly desolate doleful forlorn hapless heart-rending ill-fated ill-starred lamentable mournful pitiable ruinous sorrowful unhappy woeful wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

blessed calming cheerful comforting delightful encouraging excellent fortunate good great happy harmless healthful healthy hopeful joyful joyous life-giving lucky nice pleasant pleasing trivial unimportant wholesome wonderful worthwhile

WEAK

advantageous successful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Part-sculpted work and marble block, each has a tragic aspect to it, recalling John Greenleaf Whittier’s forlorn observation: “For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘It might have been!’

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

It is hilarious and tragic and ultimately unforgivable, all at the same time.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

‘It’s a tragic one in the end, but it’s the truth,’ creator Sam Levinson said of the series finale.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

She too had found the video "heartbreaking", saying "it is, without question, a disturbing and tragic thing to see. People are rightly asking questions about how the situation was handled".

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

My parents had a love story similar to Romeo and Juliet’s: short, tragic, star-crossed.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Vocabulary lists containing tragic

Unit 1: Telling Details

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The Tale of Despereaux

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The Wednesday Wars

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