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.

As with Kobe Bryant, his sudden and tragic death deeply affected me.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

“Individual stories of altered and suboptimal miscarriage management emerged quickly in the days following Dobbs, including several overtly tragic examples,” he said.

From Salon • May 26, 2026

"This is a tragic incident for everyone involved," Burns said, urging people to "continue to enjoy our beautiful coastline and be aware of your surroundings".

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

"I am deeply sorry to hear this tragic news and send my sincere condolences to his family."

From BBC • May 23, 2026

Two months earlier, the long, tragic Great War ended and hundreds of thousands of American servicemen were at last coming home from the battlefields of Europe.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

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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