triumph

To triumph is to win, succeed, or be victorious in an epic or spectacular way.

Sometimes, it means to conquer. In this case, it’s often used with the word over. An army can triumph over enemy forces. In stories, good triumphs over evil. A person might be said to triumph over cancer. Triumph is especially used in situations in which victory or success has come after great difficulty, adversity, or sacrifice, or over an opponent considered difficult to defeat.

Triumph is also commonly used as a noun meaning an especially significant or noteworthy victory or success, as in Their championship was a triumph—a win that places them among the all-time greats. A person’s moment of triumph is the moment when they finally achieve victory or success.

Triumph can refer to the state of winning or being victorious, as in They returned to their hometown in triumph, entering to the cheers of the adoring crowd. 

Sometimes, triumph refers to the state of joy or celebration following a victory or success that is considered a triumph, as in A feeling of triumph filled her as she realized she had won the election. 

Triumph can also be used to refer to something that is a great achievement, as in Her latest novel is her greatest triumph—a masterpiece in every way. 

The adjective triumphant means experiencing, celebrating, or having achieved a triumph. The adjective triumphal means involving, relating to, or celebrating a triumph.

Example: We will not rest until we reach our moment of triumph—when we finally triumph over the forces of evil.

The first records of the word triumph come from before 900. It ultimately comes from the Greek thríambos, meaning “hymn to Dionysus,” the Greek god of wine and celebration.

A triumph is an epic win. The word is especially used in the context of victory in battles and things that are likened to battles—such as sporting events and long bouts with serious illnesses. The word usually refers not only to the victory, but to the celebration of that victory.

The word triumph is sometimes used in a much more specific way to refer to the ceremonial parade held in Ancient Rome to celebrate a victorious general and his army.

Paris’s famous Arc de Triomphe (“Arch of Triumph”) is a triumphal arch that was constructed to honor Napoleon’s victorious armies.

What are some other forms related to triumph?

• triumphant (adjective)
• triumphal (adjective)

What are some synonyms for triumph?

• conquer
• prevail
• victory
• success
• win
• achievement

What are some words that share a root or word element with triumph? 

• trump

What are some words that often get used in discussing triumph?

• over
• adversity
• adversary
• enemy
• rival
• opponent
• moment
• battle
• celebration
• joy

Triumph is typically used in situations involving epic or spectacular victories or successes. It is commonly used as both a verb and a noun.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) June 20, 2018

From worst to first.

From tragedy to triumph.

What a year for Boston.

— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2013

In times of crisis you find out who is your friend and who isn’t. Anyone who supports or praises you in triumph then abandons or ridicules you in crisis isn’t worth giving your time to.

— John Cena (@JohnCena) July 28, 2018

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of triumph?

A. victory
B. win
C. loss
D. success