tragic irony

American  

noun

1. dramatic irony in tragic drama.

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tragic irony British  

noun

1. the use of dramatic irony in a tragedy (originally, in Greek tragedy), so that the audience is aware that a character's words or actions will bring about a tragic or fatal result, while the character himself is not

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Etymology

Origin of tragic irony

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

It is a tragic irony that the current anger and frustration at public health stems from a communicable disease response — the basis for our original success.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025

Nahran Omar highlights a tragic irony: The natural gas burned from the oil fields, if captured, could solve Iraq’s perennial electricity shortages and reduce pollution.

From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2023

Yet that same year, with tragic irony, more children ended up at risk of highly preventable infectious diseases than before the pandemic began.

From Scientific American • Aug. 25, 2022

Prosecutor Stefan Weidmann said: "It was a tragic irony that his aim was to make the road safer for his fellow motorists."

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2021

I was haunted by the tragic irony that they felt I was their best hope for help.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson