tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtra-jik How to pronounce tragic (audio)
variants or less commonly tragical
ˈtra-ji-kəl How to pronounce tragic (audio)
Synonyms of tragic
1
a
: regrettably serious or unpleasant : deplorable, lamentable
a tragic mistake
b
: marked by a sense of tragedy
2
: of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy
… the tragic significance of the atomic bomb.—Harry S. Truman
3
a
: dealing with or treated in tragedy
the tragic hero
b
: appropriate to or typical of tragedy
tragically
ˈtra-ji-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce tragic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of tragic

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Examples of tragic in a Sentence

Their deaths were tragic and untimely. They both died in a tragic car accident. Romeo and Juliet's tragic love affair. We saw a tragic play about a man with AIDS. the tragic characters of her novel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flanagan incorporates video interviews as a framing device, in which surviving witnesses recount their memories of the tragic events. — ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026 Matt might be beautiful on the surface again, but the vengeance in his heart and his newfound ability to shapeshift lead him down a tragic path towards becoming one of Gotham’s fiercest villains. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 20 Oct. 2026 Adapted from George Saunders 2017 Booker Prize-winning novel, the opera follows the death of President Abraham Lincoln’s young son, Willie, and the President’s grief after his tragic passing. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026 And next year does mark 30 years since Princess Diana's tragic death. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tragic

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin tragicus, from Greek tragikos, irregular from tragōidia tragedy

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tragic was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing tragic

Rhymes for tragic

See All Rhymes for tragic

Browse Nearby Words

Tragelaphus
tragic
tragically
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tragic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tragic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tragic

adjective
trag·​ic ˈtraj-ik How to pronounce tragic (audio)
1
: of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy
2
: dealing with or appearing in tragedy
a tragic hero
3
: very unfortunate : deplorable
a tragic mistake
tragically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce tragic (audio)
adverb
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