pyrrhic
1 of 2noun
pyr·rhic ˈpir-ik 
: a metrical foot consisting of two short or unaccented syllables
Pyrrhic
2 of 2adjective
Pyr·rhic ˈpir-ik
: achieved at excessive cost
a Pyrrhic victory
also : costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits
a great but Pyrrhic act of ingenuity
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2022
Noun
These are principles that must apply around the world, for basic fairness and because solving the climate crisis in just the U.S. would be the most pyrrhic of victories. The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2022 Word History
Etymology
Noun
Latin pyrrhichius, from Greek (pous) pyrrhichios, from pyrrhichē, a kind of dance
Adjective
Pyrrhus, king of Epirus who sustained heavy losses in defeating the Romans
First Known Use
Noun
1610, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1675, in the meaning defined above