What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tragic
Example
The tragic death of the young boy left the entire community in mourning. [tragic: adjective]
Example
The play tells the story of a tragic hero who meets a terrible fate. [tragic: adjective]
disastrous
Example
The hurricane caused disastrous flooding and destruction in the coastal town. [disastrous: adjective]
Example
The company's decision to lay off half of its employees was a disastrous mistake. [disastrous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disastrous is more commonly used than tragic in everyday language. Disastrous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tragic is less common and often used in more specific or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tragic and disastrous?
Both tragic and disastrous can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, tragic may be more associated with literary or artistic expression, while disastrous is more commonly used in everyday language.
