triumph

[ trahy-uhmf, -uhmf ]

noun

1. the act, fact, or condition of being victorious or triumphant; victory; conquest.

   Synonyms: success

   Antonyms: loss, defeat

2. a significant success or noteworthy achievement; instance or occasion of victory.
3. exultation resulting from victory; joy over success.

   Synonyms: celebration, jubilation

4. Roman History. the ceremonial entrance into Rome of a victorious commander with his army, spoils of war, and captives, authorized by the senate in honor of an important military or naval victory. Compare ovation ( def 2 ).
5. a public pageant, spectacle, or the like.

verb (used without object)

1. to gain a victory; be victorious; win.

   Synonyms: succeed

2. to gain mastery; prevail:

   to triumph over fear.

3. to be successful; achieve success.
4. to exult over victory; rejoice over success.
5. to be elated or glad; rejoice proudly; glory.
6. to celebrate a triumph, as a victorious Roman commander.

verb (used with object)

1. to conquer; triumph over.

triumph

/ ˈtraɪəmf /

noun

1. the feeling of exultation and happiness derived from a victory or major achievement
2. the act or condition of being victorious; victory
3. (in ancient Rome) a ritual procession to the Capitoline Hill held in honour of a victorious general
4. obsolete.
   a public display or celebration
5. See trump
   cards an obsolete word for trump 1

verb

1. often foll by over to win a victory or control

   to triumph over one's weaknesses

2. to rejoice over a victory
3. to celebrate a Roman triumph

Derived Forms

• ˈtriumpher, noun

Other Words From

• triumph·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of triumph¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English triumphe (noun), Old English triumpha, from Latin triump(h)us, perhaps from Etruscan, from Greek thríambos “hymn to Dionysus”

Word History and Origins

Origin of triumph¹

C14: from Old French triumphe , from Latin triumphus , from Old Latin triumpus ; probably related to Greek thriambos Bacchic hymn

Synonym Study

See victory.

Example Sentences

From the highest-profile pros to college kids and even high-schoolers, athletes have reimagined those two minutes as a time to grapple with our country’s triumphs and failings.

From Washington Post

Humanity’s triumph over smallpox should stand out as one of our proudest moments.

From Vox

Before the election of 1824, Louisa Catherine threw a ball that, counterintuitively, honored war hero and rival candidate Andrew Jackson on the anniversary of his triumph at the Battle of New Orleans.

From Washington Post

The Jaguars began this season with a triumph over the Indianapolis Colts, then didn’t win again.

From Washington Post

We are thrilled to have Raven Goodwin play Hattie McDaniel and provide an honest look into the triumphs and tragedies of her life.

From Essence.com

Everybody stays—because by the end, his triumph feels like your own.

From The Daily Beast

But Reconcile is from a slightly different arm of Houston hip-hop—more focused on spiritual triumph over the trap.

From The Daily Beast

They are stories of persecution and triumph, adversity and strength.

From The Daily Beast

The security services insisted that this triumph should remain secret for 50 years.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, the Republican triumph may be part of a larger trend.

From The Daily Beast

It is the development of character, the triumph of intellectuality and spirituality I have striven to express.'

From Project Gutenberg

Her eyes were blazing with triumph, yet her lips curved with contempt at the attitude of her trembling father.

From Project Gutenberg

Isaacson thought of the note of triumph in Mrs. Chepstow's voice when she said to him, "I don't feel such things this summer."

From Project Gutenberg

Aristide glowingly accepted the invitation and cast a look of triumph around the café.

From Project Gutenberg

A still more signal triumph to American ingenuity was accorded on Thursday.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conquer
• dominate
• flourish
• overcome
• overwhelm
• prevail
• prosper
• sweep
• thrive
• trounce
• win

More About Triumph

What does triumph mean?

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.

Where does triumph come from?

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.

​Did you know ... ?

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

How is triumph used in real life?

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

 

Try using triumph!

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

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