defeat

[ dih-feet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to overcome in a contest, election, battle, etc.; prevail over; vanquish:

   They defeated the enemy.

   She defeated her brother at tennis.

   Synonyms: subdue, rout, overthrow, overwhelm

2. to frustrate; thwart.

   Synonyms: balk, baffle, foil

3. to eliminate or deprive of something expected:

   The early returns defeated his hopes of election.

4. Law. to annul.

noun

1. the act of overcoming in a contest:

   an overwhelming defeat of all opposition.

2. an instance of defeat; setback:

   He considered his defeat a personal affront.

3. an overthrow or overturning; vanquishment:

   the defeat of a government.

   Synonyms: downfall

4. a bringing to naught; frustration:

   the defeat of all his hopes and dreams.

5. the act or event of being bested; a beating:

   Defeat is not something she abides easily.

6. Archaic. undoing; destruction; ruin.

defeat

/ dɪˈfiːt /

verb

1. to overcome in a contest or competition; win a victory over
2. to thwart or frustrate

   this accident has defeated all his hopes of winning

3. law to render null and void; annul

noun

1. the act of defeating or state of being defeated
2. an instance of defeat
3. overthrow or destruction
4. law an annulment

Derived Forms

• deˈfeater, noun

Other Words From

• de·feat·er noun
• non·de·feat noun
• pre·de·feat noun verb
• re·de·feat verb noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defeat¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English defeten (verb), from Anglo-French, Old French desfait, past participle of desfaire “to undo, destroy,” from Medieval Latin disfacere, equivalent to Latin dis- dis- ¹ + facere “to do”

Word History and Origins

Origin of defeat¹

C14: from Old French desfait, from desfaire to undo, ruin, from des- dis- ¹+ faire to do, from Latin facere

Synonym Study

Defeat, conquer, overcome, subdue imply gaining a victory or control over an opponent. Defeat suggests beating or frustrating: to defeat an enemy in battle. Conquer implies finally gaining control over, usually after a series of efforts or against systematic resistance: to conquer a country, one's inclinations. Overcome emphasizes surmounting difficulties in prevailing over an antagonist: to overcome opposition, bad habits. Subdue means to conquer so completely that resistance is broken: to subdue a rebellious spirit.

Example Sentences

Northern Ireland sit top of Nations League C Group 3 with seven points after two wins, one draw and one defeat from their four fixtures in the competition to date.

From BBC

I had to defeat him three times in federal court to keep my press pass, which his administration tried to take away.

From Salon

That frustrating late defeat against the Poles at Hampden is increasingly looking like a blow to the prospect of reaching a first World Cup since 1998, when Brown had the reins.

From BBC

The hosts will be looking to avenge their 16-15 defeat by South Africa in their last meeting in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

From BBC

In 2014, while playing for the Detroit Lions, Stafford completed 19 of 46 passes for 264 yards, with an interception, in a 34-9 defeat.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beat
• clobber
• drub
• edge
• knock out
• outplay
• overpower
• take
• thrash
• trounce
• win