tragic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tragic' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something sad or unfortunate has happened or is happening. For example: "The tragic death of the young child shook the community to its core."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that's because, in the world of the media, women are tragic and desperate and sad, and men are caddish and free.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Kearns said the court "is satisfied, in the circumstances of this case, that it is in the best interests of the unborn child; it should authorise at the discretion of the medical team the withdrawal of ongoing somatic support being provided in this tragic and unfortunate case".

The Guardian

It said: "The ANC in parliament appreciates and shares the anxiety of the families and others affected by the tragic events at Marikana regarding the public release of the report.

The Guardian

Her death on Saturday, which is being treated as a "tragic accident" by both Network Rail and the British Transport police, happened just a few miles down the track from where Olivia and Charlotte were killed.

The Guardian - Business

You get annoyed about things in real life and then the tragic thing is that while you are moaning on the awful injustice and suffering of something, something grimly comic will then strike you about it, like a parasite feeding off the misery of the world.

The Guardian

This gripping and bizarrely tragic tale of a billionaire who took it upon himself to bankroll and train the US Olympic wrestling team for the 1988 Seoul games is quite extraordinary.

The Guardian - Film

I think that a child does not feel the sublime because a child need not, perhaps cannot, confront the limitations of his or her language – language, for a child, is already miraculous, supple, generous in its association, tragic, hilarious, disproportionate and huge.

The Guardian - Books

It is disproportionate, ugly and tragic and will not do Israel any good in the long run".

The Guardian

He needs to show that he can be even-handed and, without fear or favour, argue for the long-term solution that we need to this tragic conflict".

The Guardian

Paracetamol is also the drug of choice for intentional overdose, which is extra tragic as it is good at killing you – it causes the death from liver failure of between 90 and 150 people a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Gillian Campbell, Blackpool council's cabinet member for public safety and enforcement, said: "We can confirm we will be providing support to the police in their investigation into the tragic death outside Waterstones on Monday evening.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tragic" to describe events that cause significant suffering or sorrow, ensuring the context aligns with the weight of the word. For instance, it fits situations involving loss, injustice, or deep misfortune.

Common error

Avoid using "tragic" for minor inconveniences or disappointments. Reserving it for genuinely devastating events preserves its impact and prevents diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tragic" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes great sadness or suffering. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to characterize events, situations, or even people involved in or related to tragedy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tragic" functions as an adjective to describe something causing great sadness or suffering, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's very common in the English language, particularly in News & Media contexts to evoke emotional responses to grave events. While grammatically correct, it's important to reserve "tragic" for situations genuinely warranting such a strong descriptor to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives such as "devastating" or "heartbreaking" for varying degrees of emotional intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartbreaking

Focuses on the emotional pain and sorrow caused by the event, emphasizing its impact on personal feelings.

devastating

Emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive nature of an event, highlighting its impact more intensely.

catastrophic

Highlights the scale and severity of the disaster, focusing on the widespread damage and suffering.

grievous

Highlights the severity and seriousness of the event, focusing on the deep sorrow and distress it causes.

calamitous

Stresses the disastrous and ruinous nature of the event, emphasizing its long-term consequences.

woeful

Emphasizes the sorrowful and distressing nature of the event, expressing deep sadness and regret.

unfortunate

Downplays the emotional intensity, presenting the event as regrettable but less severe than "tragic".

dire

Emphasizes the urgency and severity of the situation, suggesting immediate and critical danger.

lamentable

Focuses on the regrettable and unfortunate nature of the event, expressing sorrow and disappointment.

pathetic

Implies a sense of pity and helplessness, often used when the event is both sad and evokes feelings of insignificance.

FAQs

How to use "tragic" in a sentence?

The word "tragic" is used to describe events or situations that cause great sadness, suffering, or misfortune. For example, "The "tragic accident" claimed three lives" or "It's tragic that so many people are affected by the war".

What can I say instead of "tragic"?

You can use alternatives like "devastating", "heartbreaking", "catastrophic", or "unfortunate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "tragic"?

"Tragic" is appropriate when describing events that involve significant loss, suffering, or misfortune. It implies a sense of deep sorrow and is best used when the situation warrants such a strong emotional response.

What is the difference between "tragic" and "sad"?

"Tragic" implies a greater degree of sorrow and often involves a sense of inevitability or profound loss, while "sad" is a more general term for feeling unhappy or sorrowful. A "tragic" event is usually also sad, but not every sad event is tragic.