1 tragic flaw | Definition of tragic flaw

tragic flaw

noun

Definition of tragic flaw

: 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

The ancient god invoked here is Prometheus, and the tragic flaw Burtynsky documents is that of hubris. Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Edward Burtynsky photos at Cleveland Museum of Art document mankind’s troubled relationship with water," 23 June 2019 But in relationships, all that energy and boredom and lashing out when I’m not engaged is a pretty tragic flaw. Tessa Miller, The Cut, "10 Women on Living With ADHD," 24 Jan. 2018 Olson is a man possessed, a man whose curiosity is his tragic flaw, a man whose brain went to Harvard but whose heart never progressed past being nine years old and lied to, a lanky, loquacious loner with an ax to grind. Rachel Syme, New Republic, "Guilt Trip," 13 Dec. 2017 Defiance, in Mr Eig’s telling, was Ali’s defining feature and his tragic flaw. The Economist, "A bruising accountA new biography of Muhammad Ali," 26 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tragic flaw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of tragic flaw

1913, in the meaning defined above

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with tragic flaw

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tragic flaw