What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Overcome vs Triumph - What's the difference?

overcome | triumph |

As verbs the difference between overcome and triumph

is that overcome is to surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of while triumph is to celebrate victory with pomp; to rejoice over success; to exult in an advantage gained; to exhibit exultation.

As a noun triumph is

a conclusive success following an effort, conflict, or confrontation of obstacles; victory; conquest.

overcome

English

Verb

  • To surmount (a physical or abstract obstacle); to prevail over, to get the better of.
  • :to overcome enemies in battle
  • *Spenser
  • *:This wretched woman overcome / Of anguish, rather than of crime, hath been.
  • *1898 , , (Moonfleet), Ch.4:
  • *:By and by fumes of brandy began to fill the air, and climb to where I lay, overcoming the mouldy smell of decayed wood and the dampness of the green walls.
  • (obsolete) To win (a battle).
  • *:
  • *:Ther with all cam kyng Arthur but with a fewe peple and slewe on the lyfte hand and on the ryght hand that wel nyhe ther escaped no man / but alle were slayne to the nombre of xxx M / And whan the bataille was all ended the kynge kneled doune and thanked god mekely / and thenne he sente for the quene and soone she was come / and she maade grete Ioye of the ouercomynge of that bataille
  • To win or prevail in some sort of battle, contest, etc.
  • :
  • *
  • , chapter=2, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=That the young Mr. Churchills liked—but they did not like him coming round of an evening and drinking weak whisky-and-water while he held forth on railway debentures and corporation loans. Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired. And if the arts of humbleness failed him, he overcame you by sheer impudence.}}
  • (usually in passive) To overwhelm with emotion.
  • :
  • To come or pass over; to spread over.
  • *Shakespeare
  • *:And overcome us like a summer's cloud.
  • To overflow; to surcharge.
  • :
  • References

    * *

    triumph

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) triumphe , from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A conclusive success following an effort, conflict, or confrontation of obstacles; victory; conquest.
  • the triumph of knowledge
  • A magnificent and imposing ceremonial performed in honor of a victor.
  • (obsolete) Any triumphal procession; a pompous exhibition; a stately show or pageant.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Our daughter, / In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, / Sits here, like beauty's child.
  • A state of joy or exultation at success.
  • * Milton
  • Great triumph and rejoicing was in heaven.
  • * Dryden
  • Hercules from Spain / Arrived in triumph , from Geryon slain.
  • (obsolete) A trump card.
  • A card game, also called trump.
  • (historical, Ancient Rome) a ceremony held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the military achievement of an army commander.
  • A work of art, cuisine, etc. of very high quality.
  • Scorsese's latest film is a triumph .
    This wedding cake is a triumph .

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To celebrate victory with pomp; to rejoice over success; to exult in an advantage gained; to exhibit exultation.
  • * Bible, Psalms xciv. 3
  • How long shall the wicked triumph ?
  • * Shakespeare
  • Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you / That triumph thus upon my misery!
  • To prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties.
  • To succeed, win, or attain ascendancy.
  • * Macaulay
  • On this occasion, however, genius triumphed.
  • To be prosperous; to flourish.
  • * Trumbull
  • where commerce triumphed on the favouring gales
  • To play a trump in a card game.
  • (Ben Jonson)