Gloat – Meaning, Definition, Synonyms and Antonyms
Gloat is a verb in English. It means to feel or show smug, satisfied pleasure—especially when someone else has failed.
Meaning:
Gloat means to take smug or self-satisfied pleasure in someone else’s disappointment, mistake, or failure.
Definition:
To gloat often involves boasting, showing off, or making jokes about another person’s misfortune. The tone is usually unpleasant because the pleasure comes from another person’s loss, rather than from your own achievement alone.
Etymology:
The verb gloat entered English in the 16th century. It is related to older forms meaning to stare or gaze, which developed into the idea of looking with self-satisfaction.
Example Sentences:
- Instead of comforting his friend, he began to gloat about his success.
- The team captain made sure not to gloat after their big victory, even though they played brilliantly.
- He felt it was wrong to gloat after his rival’s failure.
- After the presentation went well, she tried to celebrate without gloating in front of the rest of the group.
Gloat Synonyms:
- Revel Revel
- Boast Boast
- Exult
- Crow
- Triumph Triumph
- Gibe Gibe
- Gloatful (rare/related use)
- Giddy (in the sense of excited satisfaction, not always negative) Giddy
Gloat Antonyms:
- Sympathize
- Console
- Commiserate
- Empathize
- Support
- Rejoice (when the joy is not at someone else’s failure) Rejoice
- Glee (a positive feeling, not necessarily related to another person’s loss) Glee
- Grumble (negative reaction instead of smug satisfaction) Grumble
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