were trumped by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were trumped by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one thing was surpassed or defeated by another, often in a competitive context. Example: "The team's efforts were trumped by their rivals' superior strategy in the final match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

They were trumped by conservatives.

The New York Times

Flip phones ("feature phones") were trumped by smartphones.

Harvard Business Review

Summer's surface pleasures were trumped by a human connection.

The New York Times

Individuality, originality and authenticity were trumped by looking and acting professional.

The New York Times

"This is another case where responsibility and safety were trumped by greed," Mr. Vance added.

The New York Times

They were trumped by a procession of speakers from around the globe seeking the status quo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Democracy was trumped by secularism.

The New York Times - Arts

The joker is trumped by the square.

The New Yorker

Partnerships are trumped by profit.

The Guardian

Yet, there were times when pride was trumped by worry.

The New York Times

But its arty aspirations are trumped by its overwhelming glumness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were trumped by" to clearly indicate a situation where one thing's impact, significance, or success was exceeded or nullified by another. Ensure the context provides a clear comparison between the two elements.

Common error

Avoid using "were trumped by" when simply describing two unrelated events or situations. It implies a direct competition or comparison where one overshadows the other. Make sure there is a valid comparison to keep your writing accurate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were trumped by" functions as a passive construction indicating that something was superseded or surpassed by something else. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. Examples show its usage across various domains, emphasizing a comparison where one element outshines another.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were trumped by" is a common phrase used to express that something has been surpassed or superseded by something else. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, including news, business, and science. The phrase emphasizes a comparison where one element outshines another, indicating a greater impact or significance. Related phrases include "were surpassed by" and "were overshadowed by". Remember to use it when there's a direct competition or comparison to maintain accuracy and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were surpassed by

Replaces "trumped" with a more neutral term indicating something exceeded or outstripped another.

were overshadowed by

Suggests one thing became less noticeable or important because of another.

were eclipsed by

Implies one thing was completely hidden or made insignificant by something else.

were superseded by

Indicates that something was replaced by something newer or more effective.

were outdone by

Conveys the idea that one thing was defeated or excelled by another.

were overcome by

Highlights the act of being conquered or subdued by something else.

were defeated by

Directly states that one thing lost or was beaten by another.

were bested by

An informal way of saying one thing was surpassed or outmaneuvered by another.

were outmatched by

Suggests a lack of equality, with one thing being significantly better than the other.

were outstripped by

Emphasizes the idea that one thing moved ahead of or surpassed another in progress or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "were trumped by" in a sentence?

Use "were trumped by" to show that something was surpassed or defeated by something else. For example, "The team's initial enthusiasm "were trumped by" the difficult challenges they faced later on".

What's a less formal alternative to "were trumped by"?

Less formal alternatives include "were outdone by", "were beaten by", or "were overshadowed by", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "were trumped by"?

No, it's not always appropriate. Use it when you want to emphasize that one thing directly surpassed or defeated another. Avoid using it if the two things are unrelated or if a weaker comparison is intended.

What's the difference between "were surpassed by" and "were trumped by"?

"Were surpassed by" is a more neutral term indicating that something was exceeded. "Were trumped by" implies a stronger sense of being defeated or overshadowed. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.