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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Recent Examples of tragedy
His family suffered other tragedies, such as his father’s shooting death from a hate crime and the drowning deaths of two of his half brothers.
—
Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Another tragedy averted on Ms. Phillips’ watch, and her shift as a crossing guard outside Marcus Garvey Elementary School is barely halfway over.
—Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Out of all that tragedy — that pain and confusion and war — rose this new art form.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 6 May 2025
Holland was attempting a routine landing when the tragedy occurred, and was not performing any stunts, Boggs said.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Another tragedy averted on Ms. Phillips’ watch, and her shift as a crossing guard outside Marcus Garvey Elementary School is barely halfway over.
—Jackie Valley, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Out of all that tragedy — that pain and confusion and war — rose this new art form.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 6 May 2025
Holland was attempting a routine landing when the tragedy occurred, and was not performing any stunts, Boggs said.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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States like Florida could be forced to assume billions in costs for health care and disaster preparedness.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
17 May 2025
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Some states, including Florida and Texas, are already adequately prepared for disasters, according to the acting chief.—
Gabriela Aoun Angueira,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Animals with black fur are adopted less often as people associate the color with bad luck and misfortune, according to an article from Dogster.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
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As Snow White continues to face controversy and underwhelming box office numbers, Bill Maher is poking fun at the movie’s latest misfortune.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, the romance picks up around eight years after a zombie apocalypse.—
Francesca Gariano,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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Joel helps Maria oversee construction for new living quarters in Jackson for the steady stream of new residents seeking refuge from the fungal apocalypse, even though Joel believes Maria is letting in people too fast to house.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The de facto trade embargo between the world’s two largest economies had produced domestic and global economic pressure that appeared on the brink of calamity.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
12 May 2025
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This belies the notion that the CCP would be a reliable partner if the world ever faced calamity again.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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