narrow victory

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrow victory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It describes a victory that was won by a small margin or with difficulty. Example: Despite facing strong competition, the team managed to secure a narrow victory in the final minutes of the game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A narrow victory.

Harvard University

IT WAS a narrow victory.

The Economist

Even a narrow victory can create overconfidence.

The New York Times

Trump's narrow victory suggested otherwise.

The Guardian

are declaring a narrow victory.

The New York Times

Still, this narrow victory showed the limits to Republican brinkmanship.

The New York Times

That handed a narrow victory to Ms. McLaughlin.

The New York Times

Exit polls gave Mr Geoana a narrow victory.

The Economist

Mr. Erdogan's narrow victory, in effect, ratifies his authoritarian rule.

The New York Times

Against such opposition, Weinstein's ruling is a narrow victory.

The Washington Post

Their linebackers will carry them to a narrow victory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow victory" to emphasize the small margin or difficulty in achieving a win, adding drama or tension to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "narrow victory" when the win was decisive or overwhelming. Ensure the context genuinely reflects a close or hard-fought outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow victory" functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of win. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness. It commonly modifies a noun, providing further detail about the nature of the victory. Ludwig shows examples of usage in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrow victory" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a win achieved by a small margin. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to emphasize the closeness and potential challenges involved in securing the win. While alternatives like "close win" or "slim margin victory" exist, "narrow victory" remains a versatile and effective choice for conveying this specific meaning. To use this phrase effectively, ensure the context truly reflects a closely contested outcome, adding depth and tension to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close win

Emphasizes the closeness of the victory, focusing on the small difference in scores or results.

slim margin victory

Highlights the minimal difference that secured the win, adding emphasis on the thinness of the victory margin.

hard-fought win

Focuses on the effort and struggle involved in achieving the victory, regardless of the margin.

marginal triumph

Indicates that the victory was achieved by a very small degree, often implying that it could have easily gone the other way.

tight victory

Indicates a victory where the competition was very close and intense.

squeaked out a win

Suggests that the victory was barely achieved, often implying an element of luck or last-minute effort.

barely won

Directly conveys that the victory was obtained with minimal advantage, keeping it simple and clear.

close call

Highlights the uncertainty and near-loss situation before the victory, indicating it was almost a defeat.

hair's breadth victory

Illustrates how exceedingly close the victory was, emphasizing the minimal distance between winning and losing.

razor-thin win

Evokes the image of an extremely thin margin, underscoring the delicate and precarious nature of the victory.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow victory" in a sentence?

You can use "narrow victory" to describe situations where a win was achieved by a small margin. For example: "Despite facing strong opposition, the team secured a "narrow victory" in the final seconds."

What are some alternatives to "narrow victory"?

Alternatives include "close win", "slim margin victory", or "hard-fought win", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "narrow victory" in formal writing?

Yes, "narrow victory" is suitable for formal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various reputable sources including news and academic texts.

What's the difference between "narrow victory" and "easy win"?

"Narrow victory" implies that the win was achieved by a small margin or with difficulty, while "easy win" suggests that the victory was achieved without much effort. They are contrasting concepts; for example: “It was a hard earned "narrow victory" unlike our competitor's "easy win".