gloat

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verb \ˈglōt\

Definition of gloat

intransitive verb
1 obsolete : to look or glance admiringly or amorously
2 : to observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight gloat over an enemy's misfortune

gloater

noun

gloatingly

adverb

See gloat defined for English-language learners

See gloat defined for kids

Examples of gloat in a Sentence

After such a tough campaign, they're gloating over their victory in the election.

Recent Examples of gloat from the Web

A familiar golf postmortem ensued, mourning over missed putts and gloating over prodigious drives.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "The after-party: Inside the life of the modern professional athlete in retirement", 3 July 2017
As is his custom at these neverending-campaign events, the president of the United States shaded the media, gloated about his five-month-old tenure and, in a new twist, droopped some hip-hop flavor into the proceedings.

— adelle platon, Billboard, "Pres. Trump Samples DJ Khaled at Iowa Rally: 'All We Do is Win, Win, Win'", 22 June 2017
But much like Trump himself, Breitbart News may have expended too much energy on gloating.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "Breitbart News, Donald Trump’s Pravda, Is in Crisis", 15 June 2017
Others cannot help but gloat at May’s difficulties.

— robert hutton, Bloomberg.com, "May Gains Northern Irish Support as Trouble Brews in London", 10 June 2017
After hauling in the catch, Parker immediately got in cornerback Byron Maxwell’s face — facemask to facemask — and gloated.

— omar kelly, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins offense humbles defense in final OTA practice", 8 June 2017
What ensued was a dispute over the difference between a throw and a roll, between gloating and merely celebrating a victory.

— zach helfand, latimes.com, "Rivalry between Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton should reach new heights with a trip to Omaha on the line", 8 June 2017
After the 2016 election, Donald Trump and Republicans gloated that the Democratic Party was in its worse shape since the 1920s.

— alex shephard, New Republic, "Why Democrats in 2018 Shouldn’t Campaign to Impeach Trump", 24 May 2017
Jake Arrieta never gloated over his dominance of his friend and former Texas Christian teammate Matt Carpenter.

— mark gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs' Jake Arrieta watches dominance over former TCU teammate Matt Carpenter end", 14 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gloat'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gloat

akin to Middle English glouten to scowl and perhaps to Old Norse glotta to grin scornfully

NEW!

First Known Use: 1605

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gloat

noun

Definition of gloat

: the act or feeling of one who gloats

Origin and Etymology of gloat

see ¹gloat

NEW!

First Known Use: 1899

See Words from the same year

GLOAT Defined for English Language Learners

gloat

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verb

Definition of gloat for English Language Learners

: to show in an improper or selfish way that you are happy with your own success or another person's failure

GLOAT Defined for Kids

gloat

play

verb \ˈglōt\

Definition of gloat for Students

gloated

;

gloating

: to talk or think about something with mean or selfish satisfaction He was determined never to spring a tear for the prince to gloat over. — Sid Fleischman, The Whipping Boy