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.

It’s a cruel quirk of fate, or maybe just a tragic irony, that we are celebrating America’s semiquincentennial during one of the most surreal periods in American history.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026

Solnit was especially moved by Sarris’ rendering of California’s tragic history.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

Sarah Conboy, leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said she "was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Shaun Burton".

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

But on a deeper level Wilder’s play, with its tragic undercurrents, speaks to another fundamental virtue enshrined as an American ideal: the importance of honesty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

From Raizel, I learned that it had been dismissed as a tragic accident.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

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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