triumph

A great success or victory achieved after effort or difficulty.

• Winning was a great triumph.
• Their election triumph surprised everyone.
• Finishing the race was a personal triumph for her.

How to use it: a triumph over someone/something (The result was a triumph over their rivals.)

Similar words: victory, success

Opposites: defeat, failure

Common phrases: a great triumph, triumph over something, personal triumph

A piece of work, food, or art that is exceptionally good.

• The meal was a triumph.
• Her new novel is an artistic triumph.
• This tiny kitchen is a triumph of clever design.

Similar words: masterpiece, success

Opposites: failure

Common phrases: a culinary triumph, artistic triumph, triumph of design

A grand public ceremony celebrating a victory, especially a Roman general’s return after winning a war.

• The general received a triumph.
• Crowds watched the triumph pass through Rome.
• The senate granted him a triumph after the war.

Similar words: victory procession

Common phrases: roman triumph, celebrate a triumph, grant a triumph

To win or succeed after a struggle or despite difficulties.

• Our team triumphed.
• She triumphed over her strongest rival.
• Justice finally triumphed after years of legal battles.

How to use it: triumph over someone/something (They triumphed over every obstacle.); triumph in something (She triumphed in the final race.)

Similar words: win, succeed, prevail

Opposites: lose, fail

Common phrases: triumph over something, triumph in something, finally triumph