Tragic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈtra-jik/ trag·ic

Meaning & Definition of Tragic

Tragic (adjective)

  1. regrettably serious or unpleasant, deplorable, lamentable
  2. marked by a sense of tragedy
  3. of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy

Tragic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of a kind to cause great distress

    "in a tragic turn of events the area's sole remaining steel mill suddenly closed"

    similar: deplorable, distressful, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, heartrending, lamentable, regrettable, unfortunate, unlucky, woeful
    related: troublesome, vexatious, affecting, doleful, moving, piteous, poignant, ruthful, touching, awful, dire, dreadful, fearful, severe, terrible, alarming, disturbing, perturbing, traumatic, unsettling, crushing, excruciating, harrowing, horrible, horrifying, intolerable, overwhelming, shocking, sickening, unbearable, miserable, pitiful, sad, wretched, calamitous, disastrous, painful, raging, sharp
    near: gratifying, pleasing, rewarding, satisfying, comforting, encouraging, heartening, cheering, heartwarming, inspiring, fortunate, happy, lucky

Related Entry: Tragic flaw (noun)

Tragic flaw is a different word from Tragic. The synonyms below are for tragic flaw, not for tragic.

  1. as in hamartia

    similar: hamartia, downfall, ruin, undoing, Achilles' heel, back, chink, jugular, soft spot, underbelly

Related Entry: Tragic flaws (noun)

Tragic flaws is a different word from Tragic. The synonyms below are for tragic flaws, not for tragic.

  1. as in hamartias

    similar: hamartias, downfalls, ruins, undoings, Achilles' heels, backs, chinks, jugulars, soft spots, underbellies

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tragic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tragic:

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

Related Words for Tragic

troublesome, vexatious, affecting, doleful, moving, piteous, poignant, ruthful, touching, awful, dire, dreadful, fearful, severe, terrible, alarming, disturbing, perturbing, traumatic, unsettling, crushing, excruciating, harrowing, horrible, horrifying, intolerable, overwhelming, shocking, sickening, unbearable

Near Antonyms of Tragic

gratifying, pleasing, rewarding, satisfying, comforting, encouraging, heartening, cheering, heartwarming, inspiring, fortunate, happy, lucky

Word Forms of Tragic

Derived words: tragically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Tragic

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

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Tragic

Words & Phrases Containing Tragic

tragic flaw

Frequently Asked Questions about Tragic

What does "Tragic" mean?

"Tragic" means regrettably serious or unpleasant, deplorable, lamentable. As an adjective, it is defined as: regrettably serious or unpleasant, deplorable, lamentable.

What is another word for "Tragic"?

Other words for "Tragic" include deplorable, distressful, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, heartrending, lamentable and regrettable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tragic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tragic"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tragic". Common alternatives include deplorable, distressful, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, heartrending, lamentable, regrettable, unfortunate and unlucky.

How do you use "Tragic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tragic" in a sentence: "in a tragic turn of events the area's sole remaining steel mill suddenly closed".

Is "Tragic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tragic" is an adjective.

Is "Tragic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Tragic" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Tragic"?

"Tragic" is pronounced /ˈtra-jik/ and divided into syllables as trag·ic.

What is the origin of the word "Tragic"?

"Tragic" comes from Middle English, from Latin tragicus, from Greek tragikos, irregular from tragōidia tragedy. First known use: 15th century.