defeated
Americanadjective
-
relating to or being the loser in a contest, election, battle, etc.; overcome or vanquished.
For several days in succession, fragments of the defeated army straggled through the town.
-
frustrated, foiled, or thwarted, as plans, dreams, etc..
He could not shake off a feeling of acute disappointment, of defeated hopes.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of defeated
First recorded in 1575–85; defeat ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective senses; defeat ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
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.
In the mid-16th century, however, Spanish conquistadors had defeated the Incas in Bolivia, and the Sapa Inca’s size pales in comparison with the figures in the painting’s lower third.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“It’s really nice, but this is the best,” Akanji said after Switzerland defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina in group play at Sofi Stadium.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026
And while Team Sussex stumbled, the Prince of Wales was enjoying a trouble-free visit to Hastings, a place famous for a battle where William defeated Harold.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
McConnell defeated Huddleston by a margin of 5,269 votes.
From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026
Jack takes one look at the defeated slump of my shoulders and asks, “Can you walk?”
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
