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)

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 excessive cost.
   • 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

Related terms

• Pyrrhic victory

Translations

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

• Asturian: pírricu m
• Esperanto: pirha
• Hungarian: pürroszi
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

achieved at excessive cost

• Asturian: pírricu m
• Catalan: pírric (ca)
• Esperanto: pirha
• Hungarian: pirruszi
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Italian: pirrico
• Portuguese: pírrico
• Spanish: pírrico