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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.

For decades, Iran has held a single geopolitical trump card in its pocket — the ability to shut down oil-tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

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

If Stokes is England's talisman, Jofra Archer is their trump card.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

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

I reach under my chair to pick up something for our meeting—I had it down there as a trump card.

From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini