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

• gloatingly adverb
• gloater noun

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

In some cases, those who took to social media to gloat over his death or post comments that caused offence have been fired or placed on leave by employers.

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The BBC learned earlier this week that the hackers sent an abuse-filled email directly to M&S's boss on 23 April, gloating about what they had done and demanding payment.

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An abusive email sent by the Marks & Spencer hackers to the retailer's boss gloating about the hack and demanding payment has been seen by the BBC.

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This is the same Musk who spent months gloating about how he's ruining the lives of thousands of people with his reckless attacks on federal employees.

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Given the good news in the stock market, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took the opportunity to gloat to the press.

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Related Words

• crow 
• exult 
• rejoice 
• relish