gloat

USAGE SUMMARY

"gloat" is a correct word to use in written English.
You use the word "gloat" when someone is excessively happy, self-satisfied, or feeling smug about something. For example: At the party, Sarah couldn't help but gloat after winning the trophy for the competition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While loyalists have deployed Facebook and other social networks not only to organise protests but to issue threats to Alliance councillors, republicans and nationalists have used the sites as well as text messaging to gloat about the union flag coming down from the dome on Tuesday morning.

The Guardian

Another likely target is Bill Stepien, Christie's two-time campaign manager who appeared to gloat over the traffic chaos.

The Guardian

Theresa May, the Conservative Party chairman, briefly raised the spectre of Enoch Powell the party's late 1960s anti-immigrant firebrand but only to gloat over the appointment of an Asian candidate in his old constituency.

The Economist

Surfers must rise early in the morning (when the waves tend to be best) or risk losing the right to gloat to others about how they should have been here earlier.Like any pursuit that relies on an ephemeral conjunction of conditions, information technology has taken some of the magic away.

The Economist

But on March 3rd it was the Republicans' turn to gloat.

The Economist

Europeans who had suspected that America's new economy was largely a bubble had longed for the day when they could gloat over America's misfortunes.

The Economist

Politicians gloat about the "wonderful" price they got for one particular power station (sold to a consortium led by National Power for A$2.35 billion, or $1.8 billion).

The Economist

The Germans are less inclined than the French to gloat over Mr Cameron's discomfiture.

The Economist

Despite underwriting many of the internet share offerings that later turned sour, Morgan Stanley avoided the harsher penalties imposed on its rivals because no incriminating e-mails were found a fact about which Mr Purcell has been known to gloat.

The Economist

Politicians on the left, who want to make taxes and wealth big campaign issues this year, were able to gloat.

The Economist

THE deal to avert the fiscal cliff had not yet been sealed when Barack Obama allowed himself to gloat a little.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gloat" when you want to emphasize a sense of smug satisfaction or malicious pleasure at another's misfortune. Ensure the context clearly implies this negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "gloat" when simply describing someone's pride in their achievements. "Gloat" carries a strong connotation of malicious or smug satisfaction, so it's unsuitable for expressing genuine, innocent pride.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gloat" is a verb, used to describe the act of exhibiting excessive, often malicious, satisfaction or pleasure. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples demonstrating its use to express triumph, sometimes at another's expense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gloat" is a verb that expresses smug or malicious satisfaction, often at someone else's misfortune. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is commonly used in news and media contexts to critically describe behavior. The word carries a negative connotation and should be used carefully, as misinterpreting it as neutral pride is a common error. Related phrases include "revel in triumph" and "smugly celebrate". Alternatives like "boast" may be more appropriate if you simply wish to express pride. Ensure your chosen context accurately reflects the word's inherently negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revel in triumph

Emphasizes the enjoyment and celebration of a victory or success.

take pleasure in victory

Focuses on the positive feeling derived from winning.

exult in success

Highlights a feeling of great happiness and triumph due to achieving success.

rejoice triumphantly

Highlights the act of expressing great joy and celebration over a victory.

brag about success

Highlights the act of boasting or showing off one's accomplishments.

smugly celebrate

Conveys celebrating with an air of self-satisfaction and superiority.

show off triumph

Suggests a display of victory, often with a hint of arrogance.

crow over victory

Implies celebrating a win in a loud and often irritating manner.

flaunt achievements

Focuses on displaying one's accomplishments in an ostentatious way.

vaunt one's prowess

Implies boasting about one's skills or abilities.

FAQs

How is "gloat" used in a sentence?

The verb "gloat" is used to express taking great malicious pleasure or satisfaction in someone else's misfortune or one's own success. For example, "He couldn't help but gloat over his rival's defeat".

What are some synonyms for "gloat"?

Synonyms for "gloat" include "triumph", "crow", "revel in", and "exult". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "gloat" in formal writing?

"Gloat" can be used in formal writing, but be mindful of its negative connotation. It's suitable when you want to critically describe someone's smug or malicious satisfaction. If you intend to simply convey happiness or pride, choose a different word.

What's the difference between "gloat" and "boast"?

"Gloat" implies taking pleasure in another person's misfortune, while "boast" refers to bragging about one's own achievements, often without necessarily implying someone else's failure. "Gloat" usually carries a stronger negative connotation.