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
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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
Princess Michael's family navigated tragedy when her daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor's husband Kingston died earlier this year.
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Janine Henni, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The tragedy is one of more than 80 school shootings across the United States this year – surpassing 2023 for the most in a single year since CNN began tracking such incidents in 2008.
—Chris Boyette, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
But they were united in deep pain over the tragedy that had unfolded.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Here is where the films of Mike Leigh, a master of human tragedy and everyday comedy, land on a scale of tragic-comic circumstances.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tragedy 
Janine Henni, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
The tragedy is one of more than 80 school shootings across the United States this year – surpassing 2023 for the most in a single year since CNN began tracking such incidents in 2008.
—Chris Boyette, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
But they were united in deep pain over the tragedy that had unfolded.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Here is where the films of Mike Leigh, a master of human tragedy and everyday comedy, land on a scale of tragic-comic circumstances.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tragedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tragedy
Noun
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Developing Highly Detailed Maps Geospatial mapping technology could be better leveraged in disasters.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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The bill would provide $100 billion in funds for cleanup after devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which rocked Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee and other Southern states, as well as other disasters.Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The latest misfortunes came in a game that might have eliminated the Tide from the Playoff.Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024
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Alternatively, a crisis can suddenly arise from a firm’s financial misfortunes, market or supply chain disruptions, regulatory issues and other unexpected developments.Leen Kawas, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The series promises to blend action, romance and comedy elements within its zombie apocalypse framework.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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Didn’t Die / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Meera Menon, Screenwriter and Producer: Paul Gleason, Producers: Erica Fishman, Joe Camerota, Luke Patton) –– A podcast host desperately clings to an ever-shrinking audience in the zombie apocalypse.Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Incandescent, convoluted, ancillary, cerebral, confound, calamity.Michael Saponara, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024
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Its namesake bell, changed out for a siren in the 1920s, was meant to avoid such calamities in the future.Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Tragedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tragedy. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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