tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtra-jik How to pronounce tragic (audio)
variants or less commonly tragical
ˈtra-ji-kəl How to pronounce tragic (audio)
Synonyms of tragic
1
a
: regrettably serious or unpleasant : deplorable, lamentable
a tragic mistake
b
: marked by a sense of tragedy
2
: of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy
… the tragic significance of the atomic bomb.—Harry S. Truman
3
a
: dealing with or treated in tragedy
the tragic hero
b
: appropriate to or typical of tragedy
tragically
ˈtra-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce tragic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of tragic

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Examples of tragic in a Sentence

Their deaths were tragic and untimely. They both died in a tragic car accident. Romeo and Juliet's tragic love affair. We saw a tragic play about a man with AIDS. the tragic characters of her novel
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Even Treadwell, who spend thirteen summers in Alaska compiling some 100 hours of bear footage, wasn’t even remotely prepared for his encounters, evidenced by his tragic death at the hands of one of his beloved grizzlies. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026 The book, co-written with journalist Katrina Onstad, details her tragic story of losing Miazga’s 14-year-old child, Mars, to suicide in 2020 and the aftermath. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 The closely watched triple murder trial of Lindsay Clancy has become the latest tragic court case to grip the nation, but onlookers are sharply divided about who to blame in a case with unusually undisputed facts. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 The connection with Varda brings to mind a vision foreclosed by Clarke’s tragic illness. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tragic

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tragicus, from Greek tragikos, irregular from tragōidia tragedy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tragic was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing tragic

Rhymes for tragic

See All Rhymes for tragic

Browse Nearby Words

Tragelaphus
tragic
tragically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tragic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tragic. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tragic

adjective
trag·​ic ˈtraj-ik How to pronounce tragic (audio)
1
: of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy
2
: dealing with or appearing in tragedy
a tragic hero
3
: very unfortunate : deplorable
a tragic mistake
tragically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce tragic (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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