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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tragedy
But barring some horrific tragedy, those gingko trees will outlive me, and there is a certain comfort in that.
—
Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
How has the university responded to the tragedy?
—Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
How has Marquette University responded to the tragedy?
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 6 Sep. 2025
After tragedies or natural disasters, fake nonprofits or misleading crowdfunding campaigns pop up online, siphoning donations away from legitimate causes.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Katherine Polcari, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
How has the university responded to the tragedy?
—Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Sep. 2025
How has Marquette University responded to the tragedy?
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 6 Sep. 2025
After tragedies or natural disasters, fake nonprofits or misleading crowdfunding campaigns pop up online, siphoning donations away from legitimate causes.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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Recently published studies about people affected by the Maui and Los Angeles fires showed that beyond affecting heart and lung function and interrupting access to medical care, these climate disasters have led to higher rates of depression and even suicide.—
Lahari Vuppaladhadiam,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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As someone who evacuated but was still directly impacted by the storm, Shepard used her lived experience to influence her research on colonial disasters.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And yet the Dolphins have found a way to remain masters of mediocrity, prolonging the NFL’s longest playoff win drought with a combination of misfortune and missteps.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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Savannah Guthrie had the misfortune of learning this in a very public forum — live on Today — this week.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Dead Don't Die In Jim Jarmusch's absurdist apocalypse comedy, flesh-craving zombies raid the once-tranquil town of Centerville, picking off its residents one by one.—
James Mercadante,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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Though, really, podcasting has been living in this particular post-apocalypse for a while.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Many iPhones, Pixel, and Galaxy devices are water-resistant and can survive exposure to liquid (yes, even beer) without calamity.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
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Season 2 will likely follow the fallout of that decision and all the calamities that will no doubt arise from it.—
Lucy Ford,
Time,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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