triumphalism

American  

[trahy-uhm-fuh-liz-uhm] / traɪˈʌm fəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. triumphant spirit or character.

2. the attitude or practices of a church that seeks a position of power and dominance in the world.

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triumphalism British  

/ traɪˈʌmfəlɪzəm /

noun

1. excessive celebration of the defeat of one's enemies or opponents

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Other Word Forms

• triumphalist adjective

Etymology

Origin of triumphalism

First recorded in 1960–65; triumphal + -ism

Example Sentences

Time to set aside the play-it-by-ear triumphalism of the past year—and come up with a plan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

But unconfirmed reports of the J-10 bringing down a Western weapon system has triggered jubilation and triumphalism on Chinese social media.

From BBC • May 19, 2025

Composer Hans Zimmer’s drone-laden score never strikes a tone of triumphalism; so much of this movie’s tricky poise is his.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2024

The Scandinavian citizens of the U.S. were contesting the triumphalism of their Italian fellow citizens.

From Slate • Nov. 11, 2023

It is a colourful admixture of indignation and triumphalism, veiled threats and promises, trial balloons and drama, the daily equivalent of the romance.

From After the Rain : how the West lost the East by Vaknin, Samuel