Success vs. Victory — What's the Difference?

Achievement of personal goals.

The defeat of an opponent or overcoming an obstacle.

The attainment of popularity or profit.

An act of conquering.

Fulfillment of an aim or purpose.

A success achieved in a struggle or endeavor against odds.

Prosperity in financial terms.

Triumph in a battle or contest.

An outcome of an endeavor.

Winning in a competitive scenario.

The accomplishment of an aim or purpose

The term victory (from Latin victoria) originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign is considered a strategic victory, while the success in a military engagement is a tactical victory.

The good or bad outcome of an undertaking

A defeat of an enemy or opponent

The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted

A success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle

The gaining of fame or prosperity

The state or fact of having defeated an opponent or of having achieved success

The extent of such gain.

Exultation or celebration at defeating an opponent or accomplishing something

One that is successful

(uncountable) The condition or state of having won a battle or competition, or having succeeded in an effort; (countable) an instance of this.

(Archaic) A result or an outcome.

(Roman goddess) Victory

The achievement of one's aim or goal.

Used to encourage someone to achieve success, or to celebrate a success or triumph.

(business) Financial profitability.

To defeat or triumph over (someone or something).

One who, or that which, achieves assumed goals.

A successful ending of a struggle or contest;

The fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame.

(obsolete) Something which happens as a consequence; the outcome or result.

Act of succeeding; succession.

That which comes after; hence, consequence, issue, or result, of an endeavor or undertaking, whether good or bad; the outcome of effort.

The favorable or prosperous termination of anything attempted; the attainment of a proposed object; prosperous issue.

That which meets with, or one who accomplishes, favorable results, as a play or a player.

An event that accomplishes its intended purpose;

An attainment that is successful;

A state of prosperity or fame;

A person with a record of successes;

Success is about achieving goals across any part of life, while victory is specifically about winning against others.

While sometimes used interchangeably in casual conversation, they have distinct meanings and contexts.

Yes, one can achieve success by meeting personal objectives without necessarily competing against others.

Not always; victory is a component of success in competitive fields, but success can also be non-competitive.

Cultural perceptions vary; success often aligns with personal or societal values, whereas victory is universally associated with winning.

Personal values significantly shape what individuals consider success, emphasizing personal fulfillment over competition, while victory typically remains defined by winning against others.

Yes, a victory can be seen as unsuccessful if it doesn't align with the larger goals or ethical standards of the participants, illustrating how victory and success can diverge.

Unlike victory, which is often measurable and objective based on specific criteria, success is more subjective and can vary widely from person to person.

Competition is central to the concept of victory, which involves surpassing others in a contest or battle, unlike success, which may not involve any competitive elements.

In team settings, success might be defined by collaborative achievements and synergy, while victory is specifically about outperforming other teams, highlighting the group's competitive edge.

Failures are often seen as stepping stones in the pursuit of success, providing valuable lessons and growth opportunities, whereas they are typically direct setbacks in achieving victory.

Yes, success can define a broader legacy based on varied accomplishments and personal fulfillment, while the legacy of a victory often centers on specific instances of overcoming competition.

Societal norms and expectations heavily influence what is regarded as success, which can vary between cultures and change over time, focusing on achievements like wealth, status, or education.

Achieving success and victory can boost confidence, satisfaction, and motivation, but they can also lead to pressure and fear of failure, impacting mental health differently based on individual resilience and context.

Typically, victory requires effort and strategic planning, as it involves overcoming competitors or obstacles, whereas success might sometimes come from fortunate circumstances or external help.