SAT vocabulary

Pyrrhic

A victory won at such devastating cost that it is tantamount to defeat

Example

"Winning the lengthy lawsuit proved to be a pyrrhic victory after legal fees consumed the family's entire inheritance."

Etymology

From Greek 'Pyrrhos', king of Epirus, who defeated the Romans at Asculum in 279 BC but suffered irreplaceable casualties.

Play today's word

Free daily SAT vocabulary game. One word, four definitions, be sharp.

Play WordSpar →