defeat
to overcome in a contest, election, battle, etc.; prevail over; vanquish: They defeated the enemy.She defeated her brother at tennis.
to eliminate or deprive of something expected: The early returns defeated his hopes of election.
Law. to annul.
the act of overcoming in a contest: an overwhelming defeat of all opposition.
an instance of defeat; setback: He considered his defeat a personal affront.
an overthrow or overturning; vanquishment: the defeat of a government.
a bringing to naught; frustration: the defeat of all his hopes and dreams.
the act or event of being bested; a beating: Defeat is not something she abides easily.
Archaic. undoing; destruction; ruin.
Origin of defeat
1synonym study For defeat
Other words for defeat
Other words from defeat
- de·feat·er, noun
- non·de·feat, noun
- pre·de·feat, noun, verb
- re·de·feat, verb, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use defeat in a sentence
“Light trumps darkness, hope beats despair, grace wins over sin, love defeats hate, life conquers death,” the cardinal said.
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops | Michael Daly | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJust because something kills you cannot possibly mean it defeats you.
If they lose, women will have played decisive and outsized roles in their defeats.
And Thomas Pink defeats Victoria's Secret in infringement lawsuit.
Is This the End of CR Fashion Book?; Armani Names New Protégé | The Fashion Beast Team | August 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFunerals were often held for those still alive, and crushing defeats were celebrated as glorious triumphs.
Thus the rapacity of Capital defeats itself, and actually impoverishes its owners when it deprives Labor of a fair reward.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyThe French army, so long accustomed to success, was absolutely demoralised by repeated disappointments and defeats.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonSuccessive defeats, and the formidable front of the enemy, make it the more stimulating.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonA short triumph will be followed by a deep mortification, and the selfishness of their aims defeats itself.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyIn Spain, this year two attempts at insurrection were made; but they were followed by defeats, arrests, and executions.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
British Dictionary definitions for defeat
/ (dɪˈfiːt) /
to overcome in a contest or competition; win a victory over
to thwart or frustrate: this accident has defeated all his hopes of winning
law to render null and void; annul
the act of defeating or state of being defeated
an instance of defeat
overthrow or destruction
law an annulment
Origin of defeat
1Derived forms of defeat
- defeater, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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