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.

When the Architectural Digest perfection of her well-heeled and emotionally confident life is shattered by tragic loss, Stacy literally does not know what to do with herself.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

"Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger," Arsenal posted on X.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

For almost six years, Argentines have demanded the truth about the mysterious death of their tragic national hero, Diego Maradona, among the greatest soccer players the world has ever seen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

"We have evacuated the school and will carry out a thorough investigation into this tragic incident," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Two months earlier, the long, tragic Great War ended and hundreds of thousands of American servicemen were at last coming home from the battlefields of Europe.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler

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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