Definitions

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.

Absent a more competent response than we have seen, the outcome could be tragic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

“I’m just immensely proud of the work we did, the story we told. It’s a tragic one in the end, but it’s the truth.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

It’s a visually stunning, wildly propulsive and tragic thriller that’s worth a watch.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

“Individual stories of altered and suboptimal miscarriage management emerged quickly in the days following Dobbs, including several overtly tragic examples,” he said.

From Salon • May 26, 2026

I looked around my crowded office, at the stacks of records and papers, each pile filled with tragic stories, and I suddenly didn't want to be surrounded by all this anguish and misery.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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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