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.

For almost six years, Argentines have demanded the truth about the mysterious death of their tragic national hero, Diego Maradona, among the greatest soccer players the world has ever seen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

He said: "It is spine-tingling to know the watch's connection to one of the most famous and tragic events of the 20th Century."

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"We have evacuated the school and will carry out a thorough investigation into this tragic incident," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Gavalas is the latest example of an AI-chatbot user spiraling into a delusional state, with tragic consequences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

It was as if, after being forced to play a tragic hand, she’d dealt herself out of history.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

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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