Pyrrhic
/ˈpɪrɪk/adjective
A victory that costs more than it is worth.
Their win in the tournament was a pyrrhic victory, as many of their key players were injured.
Usage tips
Formal
pyrrhic victory,pyrrhic success,pyrrhic defeat
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Context
Understand that a pyrrhic victory is not a true triumph, as it entails significant losses.
Many leaders have faced pyrrhic victories throughout history, where the cost outweighs the benefits.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotion
A pyrrhic victory can bring feelings of sadness rather than joy.
After the war, the survivors realized their pyrrhic victory brought them more grief than glory.
Pro Tip 3/3Literary
The term is often used in literature to emphasize the futility of a triumph.
In classic literature, heroes may achieve pyrrhic victories as a commentary on human struggle.
Compare with
victorytriumphset backwinloss
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