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
H. S. Truman3
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Fans of Pre can also still visit Pre’s rock, the site of the tragic car accident that prematurely ended his life. Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Mattie Jackson Selecman, the daughter of country star Alan Jackson, has found love again, four years after losing her first husband in a tragic accident. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 As the tragic death shakes up the city, rumors and misinformation begins to spread begging those in Teaneck to question if the city is really a home without racial tensions. Breanna Bell, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration was saddened to hear of the tragic accident. Ginger Adams Otis, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Defense attorneys disputed that, saying McIver deeply loved his wife and her death was a tragic accident. Kate Brumback, ajc, 22 July 2022 Jay Nelson, investigators have not found any other factors contributing to the tragic accident. Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE.com, 18 July 2022 ICON Park was also recently in the news following a tragic accident in which a 14-year-old died after going on the park's FreeFall ride in March. Ronn Blitzer, Fox News, 17 July 2022 Now details from depositions raise new questions about the tragic accident and unusual police response in a small Alabama town. al, 8 July 2022 See More
Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2022 Mattie Jackson Selecman, the daughter of country star Alan Jackson, has found love again, four years after losing her first husband in a tragic accident. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2022 As the tragic death shakes up the city, rumors and misinformation begins to spread begging those in Teaneck to question if the city is really a home without racial tensions. Breanna Bell, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said the Biden administration was saddened to hear of the tragic accident. Ginger Adams Otis, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Defense attorneys disputed that, saying McIver deeply loved his wife and her death was a tragic accident. Kate Brumback, ajc, 22 July 2022 Jay Nelson, investigators have not found any other factors contributing to the tragic accident. Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE.com, 18 July 2022 ICON Park was also recently in the news following a tragic accident in which a 14-year-old died after going on the park's FreeFall ride in March. Ronn Blitzer, Fox News, 17 July 2022 Now details from depositions raise new questions about the tragic accident and unusual police response in a small Alabama town. al, 8 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
tragic
adjective
trag·ic ˈtra-jik
1
: very unfortunate
a tragic mistake
2
: of or relating to tragedy
a tragic drama
tragic
adjective
variants also tragical
as in unfortunate
of a kind to cause great distress in a tragic turn of events the area's sole remaining steel mill suddenly closed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unfortunate
- sad
- heartbreaking
- regrettable
- disturbing
- disastrous
- lamentable
- shocking
- terrible
- sickening
- deplorable
- grievous
- distressing
- woeful
- unlucky
- heartrending
- distressful
- dreadful
- poignant
- traumatic
- horrible
- unsettling
- painful
- horrifying
- awful
- troublesome
- alarming
- doleful
- piteous
- harrowing
- affecting
- touching
- fearful
- severe
- dire
- vexatious
- calamitous
- moving
- unbearable
- intolerable
- pitiful
- overwhelming
- excruciating
- crushing
- perturbing
- miserable
- ruthful
- raging
- wretched
- sharp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- satisfying
- rewarding
- gratifying
- pleasing
- inspiring
- comforting
- heartening
- encouraging
- heartwarming
- fortunate
- happy
- lucky
- cheering