1
as in disaster
a sudden violent event that brings about great loss or destruction
the earthquake and the ensuing damage was the worst tragedy to ever befall the city
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2
as in misfortune
bad luck or an example of this
it's the tragedy of many great artists not to be recognized for their genius until after they're dead
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Recent Examples of tragedy
The quieter border these days contrasts with the recent years of frequent tragedies along the frontier, including family separations and the 2023 fire at a migrant detention facility in Ciudad Juárez that killed dozens.
—
César Rodríguez, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
To boot, when factoring in the movie’s hefty running time, trailers and a 15-minute intermission, that meant a lengthy and welcome respite from the unfolding tragedy.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
Personally, a Saturday viewing of the delightful Robbie Williams biopic Better Man was a cathartic and necessary escape from the tragedy.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025
All too often the victory is awarded to the Goliaths who have the resources and expertise available to them due to their immense wealth whilst the Davids’ plight often ends in tragedy and bankruptcy.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tragedy 
César Rodríguez, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
To boot, when factoring in the movie’s hefty running time, trailers and a 15-minute intermission, that meant a lengthy and welcome respite from the unfolding tragedy.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
Personally, a Saturday viewing of the delightful Robbie Williams biopic Better Man was a cathartic and necessary escape from the tragedy.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2025
All too often the victory is awarded to the Goliaths who have the resources and expertise available to them due to their immense wealth whilst the Davids’ plight often ends in tragedy and bankruptcy.
—K.j. Yossman, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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Victims can apply for other forms of disaster assistance.—
Solcyré Burga,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
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But in return for protection against another worst-case weather scenario, insurers would have to sell comprehensive coverage and invest in community disaster resilience.—
Carmen Balber,
Rolling Stone,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Yeager was one of the best defensive catchers in history who had the misfortune of being a direct contemporary of the best defensive catcher in history, Johnny Bench.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2025
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Even as the misfortune mounts, the 13-2 Lions are road favorites against the 6-9 San Francisco 49ers, who have endured a harrowing injury streak of their own.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Rather than address the real force multiplier behind this latest fire, and avoid a climate apocalypse, Republicans would rather make a quick buck off a recall gimmick.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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But before the dino apocalypse, the creatures were thought to be abundant in what's now the United Kingdom.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
11 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The two experts spoke to The Times in 2017 when wildfires ravaged Northern California and again this week amid the unfolding calamity.—
Thomas Curwen,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2025
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The seemingly increasing number of both natural and manmade calamities happening around the world means that companies in a position to provide support and relief, like ours and others across different industries, will likely be called upon to do so more often.—
David Wajsgras,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
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