Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
pyrrhic victory
noun
/ˈpɪrɪk ˈvɪktəri/
Definition
A victory that comes at such a significant cost to the victor that it is almost tantamount to defeat.
Examples
- Winning the championship was a pyrrhic victory for the team, as they lost their star player to injury.
- After the lengthy negotiations, the agreement felt more like a pyrrhic victory rather than a successful resolution.
Meaning
The term refers to a win that inflicts such a heavy toll on the winner that it negates any sense of achievement or profit.
Synonyms
- costly victory
- defeated triumph
- hollow win
