gloat

verb

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\ ˈglōt

gloated; gloating; gloats

Definition of gloat

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to observe or think about something with triumphant and often malicious satisfaction, gratification, or delight gloat over an enemy's misfortune

2 obsolete : to look or glance admiringly or amorously

gloat

noun

Definition of gloat (Entry 2 of 2)

: the act or feeling of one who gloats

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Examples of gloat in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb There’s another reason not to gloat: The Mountain West needs the Lobos to be good. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, "3 thoughts: No. 22 SDSU 62, Boise State 58 ... Mitchell’s savvy, keeping the lead and a new Lobos coach," 28 Feb. 2021 Few politicians are making the rounds to gloat on state television about how things are turning Russia’s way. — Joshua Yaffa, The New Yorker, "The Kremlin Prepares for a Biden Presidency," 13 Nov. 2020 California shouldn’t gloat about producing the first female vice president. — George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, "Column: I couldn’t stand ‘Happy Days Are Here Again.’ Then Biden and Harris were elected," 9 Nov. 2020 Everett also added a mini-sermon to her prayers, reminding followers who disapprove of Trump not to gloat. — Bob Smietana, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Faith leaders offer prayers as President Trump tests positive for COVID-19," 2 Oct. 2020 This performance has long been deeply discordant, especially with Trump’s little whammy-bar runs of gloating and grievance now playing over the daily drumbeat of mass death and economic devastation. — David Roth, The New Republic, "The Cancer in the Camera Lens," 1 May 2020 These creators and producers are in no mood to gloat or to chastise viewers for failing to heed their admonitions. — Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, "They Create Nightmare Worlds for TV. Now They’re Living in One.," 29 Mar. 2020 Early in the pandemic, Trump administration officials have gloated over how badly Iran is suffering. — Ryan Cooper, TheWeek, "The U.S. coronavirus outbreak is going to be worse than Iran's," 27 Mar. 2020 Perhaps not wanting to gloat, the government opted for a modest light show and the release of a commemorative 50 pence coin, rather than an ostentatious fireworks display or a larger event. — NBC News, "Goodbye, Europe. After years of Brexit turmoil, Britain finally leaves the E.U.," 30 Jan. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The person who finds the pickle gets to open the first present, and gloat about it until the next year. — Lizz Schumer, Good Housekeeping, "The History of the Christmas Pickle, a Zany Holiday Tradition," 16 Nov. 2020 Having just won his boss a stonking 87-seat majority, Mr Cummings may have been unable to resist a little gloat. — The Economist, "Soft target How the Conservatives won the social media campaign," 18 Jan. 2020 That vacation gloat so many of us succumb to on social media has trickled upward, as the president made a sort-of joke about how a little global warming might actually be appreciated for those Americans enduring the cold temperatures. — Kaitlin Menza, Esquire, "Local Golf Fanatic Doesn't Know the Difference Between Weather and Climate," 29 Dec. 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.

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Last Updated

13 Mar 2021

Cite this Entry

“Gloat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gloat. Accessed 10 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for gloat

gloat

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gloat

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

See the full definition for gloat in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gloat

verb

\ ˈglōt

gloated; gloating

Kids Definition of gloat

: 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