tragic flaw

noun

Synonyms of tragic flawnext
: a flaw in character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy

Examples of tragic flaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Many people think of parent-child relationships as the most formative ones—the source of attachment styles, daddy issues, tragic flaws. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 7 Oct. 2024 The political actors onstage in Milwaukee wore their tragic flaws on their sleeves. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tragic flaw was in 1913

Rhymes for tragic flaw

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“Tragic flaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tragic%20flaw. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tragic flaw

noun
: a defect in the character of a good person (as the hero of a tragedy) that causes his or her destruction

More from Merriam-Webster on tragic flaw

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