defeat
verb (used with object)
to overcome in a contest, election, battle, etc.; prevail over; vanquish.
had defeated
-
past perfectof defeat.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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 β Jul. 17, 2026
On Monday, it was Wu Yize - who had defeated Shaun Murphy 18-17 in a compelling final at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
From BBC β May 5, 2026
I found that repeat performances, in which previous major-party nominees for president ran again, sometimes against incumbents who had defeated them — have happened many times before, though not since 1956.
From New York Times β Mar. 8, 2024
There was no shot clock then, so Driesell ordered his players to slow the game to a crawl against a team that had defeated Maryland 96-70 just three weeks earlier.
From Seattle Times β Feb. 17, 2024
Newsflashes declared that Martians had defeated the military and taken over its bases.
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
