Pyrrhic victory

Noun CEFR B2

ˌpɪɹ.ɪk ˈvɪk.t(ə)ɹ.i

Definitions

A very costly victory, wherein the considerable losses outweigh the gain, so as to render the struggle not worth the cost.

Equivalents

Españolvictoria pírrica

Françaisvictoire à la Pyrrhus

DeutschPyrrhussieg Scheinsieg

14 more languages

ČeštinaPyrrhovo vítězství

Danskpyrrhussejr

SuomiPyrrhoksen voitto

Magyarpirruszi győzelem

Հայերենպյուռոսյան հաղթանակ

Italianovittoria di Pirro

日本語ピュロスの勝利

한국어피로스의 승리

Nederlandspyrrusoverwinning

Polskipyrrusowe zwycięstwo

Portuguêsvitória de Pirro vitória pírrica vitória pirrónica

Românăvictorie à la Pirus

Русскийпиррова победа

Svenskapyrrhusseger

Examples

“Tough pensions regulation designed to protect ⟳ employees in final-salary occupational schemes will prove ⟳ a pyrrhic victory for unions and the government, a report ⟳ warned yesterday.”

“We now know ⟳ that it [the Six-Day War] was a Pyrrhic victory.”

CEFR level

B2

Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See all B2 English words →

See also

pyrrhichius pyrrhicist pyrrhite pyrrhoarsenite pyrrhocorid pyrrholite

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