triumphant

Triumphant means experiencing, celebrating, or having achieved a triumph—an especially significant or noteworthy victory or success.

Triumph is also commonly used as a verb meaning 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, and triumphant is used in the same way. An army can be triumphant over enemy forces. In stories, good is triumphant over evil. A person might be said to be triumphant over cancer.

Triumphant 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.

Triumphant can describe a person who is or has been victorious, as in They returned to their hometown triumphant, entering to the cheers of the adoring crowd. 

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

Triumphant can describe something considered a great achievement, as in Her latest novel is triumphant—a masterpiece in every way. 

The similar adjective triumphal means involving, relating to, or celebrating a triumph.

Example: We will not rest until we are triumphant—when we finally victorious over the forces of evil.

The first records of the word triumphant come from the late 1400s. Triumph is first recorded much earlier, 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. Triumphant 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. It can be used to describe not only the victor and the victory, but also the celebration of that victory. To make a triumphant entrance is to enter a place as a winner, especially in celebration.

What are some other forms related to triumphant?

• triumphantly (adverb)
• triumph (noun)

What are some synonyms for triumphant?

• triumphal
• victorious
• exultant

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

• trump

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

• over
• entrance
• return
• emerge
• victory
• win
• achievement
• success
• moment
• battle
• celebration

Triumphant is typically used in situations involving epic or spectacular victories or successes—and the celebrations that follow.

"Unlike their celebrated American and British comrades, Canadian veterans of World War II are rarely remembered in triumphant narratives because there were far fewer of them. Jewish Canadians even less so, but they should be." https://t.co/N2EZDI8CRq

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 8, 2019

Moving to NY was a challenge, but as soon as I arrived I knew things would work. For my first game, Cosmos x Dallas Tornado, the stadium neighborhood was closed for ticket owners, with extra seats and new parking spaces. It was a "triumphant debut". I felt at home! 🇺🇸🏠 pic.twitter.com/jOK8qZNikl

— Pelé (@Pele) October 17, 2020

Filming Cleopatra's triumphant entrance into Rome. pic.twitter.com/sPShY2i2Zp

— Old Hollywood 🎬 (@oldhollywoodz) June 4, 2017

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

A. victorious
B. triumphal
C. tragic
D. exultant