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Definitions

trump card

[truhmp kahrd, truhmp kahrd] / ˈtrʌmp ˌkɑrd, ˈtrʌmp ˈkɑrd /
NOUN
key advantage
Synonyms
STRONG
assistance
WEAK
ace in the hole ace up one's sleeve advantage aid asset card up one's sleeve edge help influence key resource lead leg up leverage luck odds position power protection secret weapon superiority upper hand whip hand
Antonyms
STRONG
disadvantage
WEAK
short end

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But if she has already decided to play the sport’s ultimate trump card, she isn’t tipping her hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Brazil holds a trump card in tariff negotiations with the United States: its subsoil is rich in rare earth minerals coveted by manufacturers in a sector dominated by China.

From Barron's • Oct. 25, 2025

Archer, the trump card, has shown a recent robustness.

From BBC • Sep. 23, 2025

Surging viewership for March Madness might be able to help Wiedenfels out there, but he’ll no longer have domestic NBA live games as his major trump card for other negotiations.

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2025

Clearly, superior breaking speed in a match race was almost always a trump card.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand