noun
tragedy
TRAJ-uh-dee/ˈtrædʒədi/
An occurrence ending in grave suffering or loss.
The town mourns a tragedy that claims several lives.
Etymology
The Greek word named a drama with an unhappy ending. The name of this literary form extended to real-life calamities, where suffering and loss are lived rather than staged.
In context
deadliest disasters in the history of mountaineering on the Towering peak of K2 11 climbers lost their lives in an event that has become known as the K2 disaster this tragedy serves as a poignant reminder
More examples
- Quick action prevents a crowded bus ride from ending in tragedy.
- Losing both parents in the fire is a personal tragedy.
- Stricter safety rules can help prevent similar tragedies.
Forms
tragedy · tragedies
tragic adjective — Causing or involving great suffering or loss.
Similar words
- disaster
- Can emphasize destruction or failure rather than human suffering.
- catastrophe
- Emphasizes extreme destruction or disruption, often on a large scale.
- calamity
- A more formal word for an event bringing serious misfortune.