Triumphant vs. Triumphal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 17, 2024
"Triumphant" describes a feeling or expression of victory or success, while "triumphal" relates to the ceremonies or public celebrations of a victory.
Difference Between Triumphant and Triumphal
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Key Differences
"Triumphant" often conveys a sense of having achieved or won something significant, usually through personal effort or skill. On the other hand, "triumphal" is typically used to describe things like arches, parades, or events that are designed to celebrate a victory or successful outcome.
In everyday language, someone might describe their mood or demeanor as triumphant if they feel victorious or exceptionally pleased about an achievement. Whereas, triumphal is less commonly used in everyday speech and more in contexts discussing historical or grand celebratory events.
The adjective "triumphant" is used to characterize individuals or groups who are experiencing the joy of a victory, suggesting an emotional or psychological state. In contrast, "triumphal" is often used in a more literal, physical context, referring to objects or organized events that symbolize or commemorate victory.
When used in literary contexts, "triumphant" can add a dramatic flair, highlighting the protagonist's success against odds. Conversely, "triumphal" might be used to set a scene or describe a setting within a story, emphasizing the grandeur and ceremonial aspects of victory.
In sports commentary, a player might be described as looking triumphant after scoring a winning goal, capturing the personal achievement and emotional high. Meanwhile, a triumphal parade would be the public, celebratory event following a team's championship win, focusing on communal celebration.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Feeling of victory
Pertaining to celebration of victory
Usage Context
Emotions, personal achievements
Ceremonial, public events
Common Usage
Describes people or moods
Describes objects or events
Emotional Connotation
Emotional, personal
Formal, celebratory
Example Setting
Individual success stories
Parades, arches
Compare with Definitions
Triumphant
Marked by a victorious outcome.
His triumphant return home was celebrated by all his friends.
Triumphal
Celebratory, especially in a public and elaborate way.
The triumphal arch stood as a reminder of past victories.
Triumphant
Exultantly proud; victorious.
He was triumphant at the negotiations.
Triumphal
Relating to or denoting a victory or successful outcome.
The triumphal music set a victorious tone for the evening.
Triumphant
Having achieved a triumph; victorious.
The triumphant team lifted the trophy high.
Triumphal
Of or relating to a ceremonial entry or a procession.
The general's triumphal entry into the city was a historic event.
Triumphant
Expressing or celebrating a victory.
Their triumphant cheers filled the stadium.
Triumphal
Associated with or celebrating a great victory or achievement.
The artist's triumphal exhibition was attended by many dignitaries.
Triumphant
Feeling joy or satisfaction because of a victory.
She felt triumphant after winning the chess tournament.
Triumphal
Pertaining to a triumph or public rejoicing.
The triumphal parade drew crowds from all over the city.
Triumphant
Having won a battle or contest; victorious
Two of their triumphant Cup team
A comic fairy tale about innocence triumphant
Triumphal
Made, carried out, or used in celebration of a great victory or achievement
A vast triumphal arch
A triumphal procession
Triumphant
Exulting in success or victory.
Triumphal
Relating to or having the nature of a triumph.
Triumphant
Victorious; conquering.
Triumphal
Celebrating or commemorating a victory or triumph
A triumphal arch.
A triumphal ode.
Triumphant
(Archaic) Triumphal.
Triumphal
Of, relating to, or being a triumph.
Triumphant
(Obsolete) Magnificent; splendid.
Triumphal
That celebrates or commemorates a triumph or victory.
Triumphant
Celebrating victory.
A triumphant chariot
So shall it be in the church triumphant.
Athena, war's triumphant maid...
Triumphal
(obsolete) A token of victory.
Triumphant
Rejoicing for victory; triumphing; exultant.
Successful beyond hope to lead ye forthTriumphant out of this infernal pit.
Triumphal
Of or pertaining to triumph; used in a triumph; indicating, or in honor of, a triumph or victory; as, a triumphal crown; a triumphal arch.
Messiah his triumphal chariot turned.
Triumphant
Celebrating victory; expressive of joy for success; as, a triumphant song or ode.
Triumphal
A token of victory.
Joyless triumphals of his hoped success.
Triumphant
Graced with conquest; victorious.
Athena, war's triumphant maid.
So shall it be in the church triumphant.
Triumphal
Relating to or celebrating a triumph;
A triumphal procession
A triumphal arch
Triumphant
Of or pertaining to triumph; triumphal.
Captives bound to a triumphant car.
Triumphal
Joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success;
Rejoicing crowds filled the streets on VJ Day
A triumphal success
A triumphant shout
Triumphant
Joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success;
Rejoicing crowds filled the streets on VJ Day
A triumphal success
A triumphant shout
Triumphant
Experiencing triumph
Common Curiosities
Can a person be described as triumphal?
Typically, "triumphal" is not used to describe a person but rather events or objects associated with celebration.
How is triumphal used in a sentence?
Triumphal is often used to describe ceremonies or objects related to public celebrations of victories.
What is a triumphal arch?
A triumphal arch is a monumental structure that commemorates military victories or significant achievements.
Is triumphant a positive adjective?
Yes, triumphant is a positive adjective that conveys success and victory.
Can a mood be described as triumphal?
Typically, moods are described as triumphant, not triumphal, which is reserved for more physical or ceremonial contexts.
What does triumphant mean?
Triumphant means experiencing or displaying joy due to victory or success.
Where would one most likely hear the term triumphal used?
Triumphal is most likely heard in historical or large-scale celebratory contexts.
Can triumphal refer to an artistic success?
Yes, triumphal can refer to an artistic success, especially when it's celebrated with a public event or exhibition.
How do triumphant and triumphal differ in emotional tone?
Triumphant is more personal and emotional, while triumphal is formal and public.
Is it common to use triumphant in everyday conversation?
Yes, triumphant is commonly used in everyday conversations to express personal victories or satisfaction.
Can a sports team be described using triumphal?
A sports team itself would not be described as triumphal, but the celebrations following their victory, like parades, could be.
Does triumphal have a historical significance?
Yes, triumphal has historical significance, often linked with ancient celebrations of military or civic victories.
What kind of events can be triumphal?
Events like victory parades, ceremonial banquets, or official celebrations can be described as triumphal.
Which term is more focused on individual achievement?
Triumphant is more focused on individual achievements and emotions.
Can an object be triumphant?
Generally, objects aren't described as triumphant; this term is reserved for beings capable of feeling emotions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
