Pyrrhic victory

American  

noun

1. a victory or goal achieved at too great a cost.

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Pyrrhic victory British  

noun

1. Also called: Cadmean victory.  a victory in which the victor's losses are as great as those of the defeated

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Pyrrhic victory Cultural  

1. A victory that is accompanied by enormous losses and leaves the winners in as desperate shape as if they had lost. Pyrrhus was an ancient general who, after defeating the Romans, told those who wished to congratulate him, “One more such victory and Pyrrhus is undone.”

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Pyrrhic victory Idioms  

1. A victory that is offset by staggering losses, as in The campaign was so divisive that even though he won the election it was a Pyrrhic victory. This expression alludes to Kind Pyrrhus of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at Asculum in b.c. 279, but lost his best officers and many of his troops. Pyrrhus then said: “Another such victory and we are lost.” In English the term was first recorded (used figuratively) in 1879.

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Etymology

Origin of Pyrrhic victory

1880–85; < Greek Pyrrikós; after a remark attributed by Plutarch to Pyrrhus, who declared, after a costly victory over the Romans, that another similar victory would ruin him

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Pyrrhic victory

The painter sued him for libel in a case that proved a Pyrrhic victory, leaving the plaintiff bankrupt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026

But even if the Tegna acquisition makes it through the courts, Nexstar may find it has obtained a Pyrrhic victory.

From Slate ● Apr. 21, 2026

If we can’t, winning the global AI race will be a Pyrrhic victory at best.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026

“It could turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory if inroads aren’t also carved out at the nonunionized factories that will play a pivotal role in the industry’s future,” Masters said.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 10, 2023

“It is a Pyrrhic victory at best,” says Siraj.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein