Sophocles

American  

[sof-uh-kleez] / ˈsɒf əˌkliz /

noun

1. 495?–406? b.c., Greek dramatist.

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Sophocles British  

/ ˈsɒfəˌkliːz, ˌsɒfəˈkliːən /

noun

1. ?496–406 _bc , Greek dramatist; author of seven extant tragedies: Ajax, Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Trachiniae, Electra, Philoctetes , and Oedipus at Colonus

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Sophocles Cultural  

1. An ancient Greek poet, author of Oedipus Rex and Antigone. He is counted, with Euripides and Aeschylus, among the great Greek authors of tragedies.

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Other Word Forms

• Sophoclean adjective

Example Sentences

Sophocles himself might have approved the tragic symmetry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides illuminated how pride, injustice and failed leadership could threaten a community.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2025

Among the tragedians, there are extant works from only three: Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides.

From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2023

We study the texts of Sophocles plays, but fail to appreciate that they are the skeletons of a theatrical experience synthesizing music, dance and spectacle in a manner quite removed from our modern playgoing experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2023

Just as the greatest plays of Aeschylus, in the fifth century, are about Atreus’ descendants, so the greatest plays of his contemporary Sophocles are about Oedipus and his children.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton