gloat

[gloht]

verb (used without object)

1. to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction.

   The opposing team gloated over our bad luck.

noun

1. an act or feeling of gloating.

gloat

/ ɡləʊt /

verb

1. to dwell (on) with malevolent smugness or exultation

noun

1. the act of gloating

Other Word Forms

• gloater noun
• gloatingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloat¹

1565–75; perhaps akin to Old Norse glotta “to smile scornfully”; compare German glotzen “to stare”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloat¹

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse glotta to grin, Middle High German glotzen to stare

Synonym Study

See glare ¹.

Example Sentences

They spent the first quarter hour of their walk gloating.

Read more on Literature

“Poor Bright Females,” Cassiopeia gloated to her brothers.

Read more on Literature

He didn’t gloat when coaches dutifully dropped to the court to pay the push-up price.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Republicans, resist the temptation to gloat over the prospect that Zohran Mamdani will win next week’s mayoral election in New York City.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Republicans might want to hold off on the gloating.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crow 
• exult 
• rejoice 
• relish