tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtra-jik 

variants or less commonly tragical

ˈtra-ji-kəl 

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

—H. 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 

adverb

Synonyms

• deplorable
• distressful
• distressing
• grievous
• heartbreaking
• heartrending
• lamentable
• regrettable
• unfortunate
• unlucky
• woeful

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

The mother of a North Carolina woman who was fatally attacked while vacationing in Mexico is pursuing legal action two years after the tragic incident. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Nearly $195,000 was raised through a GoFundMe campaign started for Kaur’s family following her tragic death. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Advertisement The day took a tragic turn in the $5 million Turf when Jayarebe collapsed in the gallop out after the race. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024

The story of Nickel Boys makes sense in a stark, tragic way. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing tragic

• tragic flaw

Kids Definition

tragic

adjective

trag·​ic ˈtraj-ik 

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 

adverb