triumph

play

noun tri·umph \ ˈtrī-əm(p)f \

Definition of triumph

plural triumphs play \-əm(p)fs, -əm(p)s\

1 a :a victory or conquest by or as if by military force

b :a notable success

the party was a triumph

2 :the joy or exultation of victory or success

3 :a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy — compare ovation 1

—

triumphal

play \trī-ˈəm(p)-fəl\ adjective

See triumph defined for English-language learners

See triumph defined for kids

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

They earned a magnificent triumph over the invading army.
They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.
Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.
The party was a triumph.
The bridge is an engineering triumph.
They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.
They stood atop the mountain in triumph.

Recent Examples of triumph from the Web

The Tigers would wrest the No. 1 ranking back 364 days later with their last-second triumph over Alabama earlier this year.

— rainer sabin, AL.com, "Why No. 1 ranking has become fact of life at Alabama," 24 Aug. 2017
The triumph for science was a sad moment for the humans at the heart of #TeamFiona.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "Fiona and me: Love for a baby hippo, and for people, too.," 8 Aug. 2017
IN A TRIUMPH OVER AGE AND HUBRIS, MACRON CLASPED TRUMP’S TINY APPENDAGE IN A GALLIC BONE-CRUSHER DEATH GRIP.

— james wolcott, vanityfair.com, "The Bromance of Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron, Gen X Dynamos of Democracy," 4 Aug. 2017
The Shamrocks have won 12 of the past 13 meetings in the series, including a 24-14 triumph in the state semifinals last season.

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Top high school football games in 2017," 1 Aug. 2017
Yet Obama’s election proves very little about the triumph of colorblindness either as a tactic for gaining power or as a frame for how it is exercised.

— michelle weber, Longreads, "The Colorblind Whitewashers of American History," 22 July 2017
Of Colonel Brandon, whom Willoughby mocks for his reserve, and whose eventual triumph with Marianne constitutes the original revenge of the nerds.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "Jane Austen and the Redemption of Gawkiness," 19 July 2017
With a running time of two and half hours, including one intermission, the Bottom Brothers, Nick and Nigel, find themselves as playwrights who are always in the shadow of Shakespeare's talent and triumphs.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Broadway Bard spoof 'Something Rotten' is something really funny," 18 July 2017
Also worth keeping an eye on now: How Muguruza handles the aftermath of this latest triumph.

— howard fendrich, The Seattle Times, "Fendrich on Tennis: Is Muguruza heir to Williams sisters?," 15 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of triumph

Middle English triumphe, from Old French, from Latin triumphus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

triumph Synonyms

Synonyms

achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, success, accomplishment

Antonyms

nonachievement

Related Words

blockbuster, hit, jackpot, megahit, miracle, smash, winner; conquest, gain, victory, win; skill; deed, feat, performance; arrival, completion, consummation, culmination, execution, fruition, fulfillment (or fulfilment), implementation, realization

Near Antonyms

botch, cock-up [British], mess, muddle, shambles; bummer, bust, catastrophe, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, washout; disappointment, letdown, loss, setback

triumph

verb

Definition of triumph

intransitive verb

1 :to obtain victory :prevail

2 a :to receive the honor of a triumph

b :to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

See triumph defined for English-language learners

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

His favorite team triumphed in the championship game.
despite an accident early on, the runner persevered and ultimately triumphed

Recent Examples of triumph from the Web

Santat’s new picture book is for children ages 4 through 8 and teaches how to triumph over fear and trauma.

— jeanne houck, Cincinnati.com, "Acclaimed children's book author coming to Oakley," 29 Aug. 2017
By evolving the ability to prevent the munchies in insects, some fungi triumphed over their competitors.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "How Mushrooms Became Magic," 24 Aug. 2017
Johnson, long considered to be among the most vulnerable Republican senators, triumphed by a larger margin than expected.

— alexandra desanctis, National Review, "Marine Vet Kevin Nicholson Announces 2018 Challenge to Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin," 26 July 2017
In each, there is some risk that a populist could triumph.

— The Economist, "Latin America’s disappointing economic growth," 20 July 2017
Moran warned Monday that if Republicans don’t come up with an alternative to the Affordable Care Act, supporters of a government-run health care system will triumph, costing taxpayers untold amounts of money.

— lindsay wise, kansascity, "Moran won’t support GOP health care bill, sinking legislation’s chances for now," 17 July 2017
Kang triumphs OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. – Danielle Kang birdied the final hole to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for her first LPGA Tour title, edging defending champ Brooke Henderson in the major tournament.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Kyle Stanley of Gig Harbor sheds tears after winning PGA Tour event on 1st playoff hole," 2 July 2017
History shows that the underdog can triumph in the face of scandal, said James Haggerty, a crisis communications expert and president and chief executive of PRCG/Haggerty.

— david pierson, Philly.com, "Lyft is turning Uber's missteps into an opportunity," 14 June 2017
Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father, triumphed in part by managing a constellation of rivals who hated one another but were all dependent on him.

— krista stevens, Longreads, "For Ordinary Syrians, Is Backing Assad the Only Option?," 7 June 2017

First Known Use of triumph

1508

triumph Synonyms

Synonyms

conquer, prevail, win

Antonyms

lose

Related Words

overcome, sweep; squeak, squeeze; contend, vie; succeed; breeze, romp

Near Antonyms

collapse, fail, flop, fold, wash out; flounder, struggle; decline, slip, slump, wane

TRIUMPH Defined for English Language Learners

triumph

play

noun

Definition of triumph for English Language Learners

: a great or important victory
: a great success or achievement
: the very happy and joyful feeling that comes from victory or success

triumph

verb

Definition of triumph for English Language Learners

: to achieve victory especially in a long or difficult contest

TRIUMPH Defined for Kids

triumph

play

noun tri·umph \ ˈtrī-əmf \

Definition of triumph for Students

1 :the joy of victory or success

2 :an outstanding victory

triumph

verb

Definition of triumph for Students

triumphed; triumphing

1 :to celebrate victory or success in high spirits

2 :to gain victory :win

Learn More about triumph

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for triumph Spanish Central: Translation of triumph Nglish: Translation of triumph for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of triumph for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about triumph

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up triumph? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

triumph

Definition of triumph

triumphal

People Are Reading

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

Recent Examples of triumph from the Web

Origin and Etymology of triumph

triumph Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

triumph

Definition of triumph

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

Recent Examples of triumph from the Web

First Known Use of triumph

triumph Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

TRIUMPH Defined for English Language Learners

triumph

Definition of triumph for English Language Learners

triumph

Definition of triumph for English Language Learners

TRIUMPH Defined for Kids

triumph

Definition of triumph for Students

triumph

Definition of triumph for Students

Learn More about triumph

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066