Synonyms

tragic flaw

American

[traj-ik flaw] / ˈtrædʒ ɪk ˈflɔ /

noun

Literature.

the character defect that causes the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy; hamartia.

tragic flaw British

noun

a failing of character in the hero of a tragedy that brings about his downfall

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tragic flaw

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was the same tragic flaw that also took down Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 16, 2024

But Mungo loves Mo-Maw unconditionally; it’s his nature, his tragic flaw.

From Washington Post • Apr. 5, 2022

Beany struggles with a tragic flaw, a quick temper and a terrible pride, which makes it difficult for her to apologize for the things she does when angry.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2020

But if Mr. Staley were a character from classical literature, his fidelity would be his tragic flaw.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2017

He couldn’t easily promulgate it, though, because he had a tragic flaw: a severe speech impediment, perhaps a stutter.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023