Pyrrhic

See also: pyrrhic

English

Etymology

From Pyrrhus (318-272 BC), a king of Epirus whose forces sustained heavy losses in defeating the Romans.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɪɹɪk/

• Audio (UK):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪɹɪk

Adjective

Pyrrhic (comparative more Pyrrhic, superlative most Pyrrhic)

1. (not comparable) Of or relating to Pyrrhus (319/318–272 BC), Greek general and statesman.

   The Pyrrhic army lost the Pyrrhic war.

2. Achieved at too great a cost or detriment to have been worthwhile (as a victory, accomplishment, etc).
   • 1993, Steven Berglas, Roy F. Baumeister, Your Own Worst Enemy: Understanding the Paradox, page 166:

     Although this syndrome is thought to resemble patterns of Pyrrhic revenge […]

   • 2010, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, The Black Swan, page 19:

     I feared a Pyrrhic victory: I had been vindicated intellectually, but I was afraid of being too right and seeing the system crumble under my feet.

Alternative forms

• (achieved at too great a cost): pyrrhic

Related terms

• Pyrrhic victory

Translations

of or relating to Pyrrhus (319/318–272 BC), Greek general and statesman

• Asturian: pírricu
• Esperanto: pirha
• Hungarian: pürroszi

achieved at excessive cost

• Asturian: pírricu
• Catalan: pírric (ca)
• Esperanto: pirha
• German: Pyrrhus- (as in Pyrrhussieg), pyrrhisch
• Hungarian: pirruszi
• Italian: pirrico
• Portuguese: pírrico
• Spanish: pírrico (es)