Pyrrhic

Derived from King Pyrrhus of Epirus, the word 'pyrrhic' describes a victory won at such a devastating cost that it is essentially a loss. It signifies a triumph that inflicts so much damage, suffering, or loss that it outweighs the gains achieved. This can apply to military conflicts, political strategies, business ventures, or any situation where the price of success is excessively high, potentially jeopardizing long-term stability or well-being.

Pyrrhic meaning with examples

• The general's pyrrhic victory was celebrated by the kingdom, but the staggering number of casualties meant the army was significantly weakened, leaving the borders vulnerable to future attacks. The brief celebration quickly faded as they realized the true, lasting cost of their 'success' far outweighed any strategic gains, pushing them towards the end.
• The company's pyrrhic acquisition of its competitor, while boosting market share temporarily, saddled it with so much debt and cultural clashes that it nearly bankrupted the parent company. The financial strain and loss of key personnel rendered the initial advantage meaningless, making the once-promising outlook grim, and almost leading to failure.
• The politician's pyrrhic win in the election, secured through divisive tactics and damaging personal attacks, alienated a significant portion of the electorate. Their agenda would be difficult to enact due to a lack of public support, and creating a fractured base for years to come made their win ultimately hollow and ineffective, damaging any future prospects.
• The negotiator achieved a pyrrhic agreement with the other party by giving up so many core principles that the final deal offered little real benefit. Their compromised position, and a lack of respect from the other side, meant they were at an utter disadvantage, and the 'success' quickly became a liability, eroding their power.