tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtra-jik 

variants or less commonly tragical

ˈtra-ji-kəl 

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

—H. 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 

adverb

Synonyms

• deplorable
• distressful
• distressing
• grievous
• heartbreaking
• heartrending
• lamentable
• regrettable
• unfortunate
• unlucky
• woeful

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

Matthew Gaudreau's widow Madeline paid tribute to her late husband and brother-in-law on the first Thanksgiving since their tragic deaths. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 28 Nov. 2024

The rivalry resumed last year after UVA cancelled its final two games of the 2022 season due to the tragic death of three players. —Tom Layberger, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

But the boys who turn their attention to the duo meet a tragic demise. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2024

Wendy Williams’ tragic battle with dementia is playing out in a new court dispute between her legal guardian Sabrina Morrissey and A&E Networks. —Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 27 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing tragic

• tragic flaw

Kids Definition

tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtraj-ik 

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 

adverb