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.

There is a particularly beautiful chapter set on Long Island during World War II, in which the narrator recalls a July 4 beach celebration that ends with a tragic explosion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

A subtle narrative shift reassures readers that hers is not a tragic end, but one where her courage and spirit become the stuff of legend, the very “sea itself singing her name.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

If you do have to make the tragic decision to put Otis down, that will be another cost.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Sheriff Morag McLaughlin said there had been "absolutely a very, very tragic outcome".

From BBC • May 18, 2026

I have taken this story entirely from two plays of Euripides, the fifth-century tragic poet.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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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