defeat
verb (used with object)
to overcome in a contest, election, battle, etc.; prevail over; vanquish.
have defeated
-
present perfectof defeat.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
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.
The critics noted that voters have defeated every attempt to eliminate the elected state superintendent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
“We have defeated each and every one of those threats through the clinical application of defensive munitions,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
Had he simply fought Fox’s complaint the right way, he may well have defeated the charges in short order.
From Slate ● Mar. 11, 2026
Franco Smith's side lead the United Rugby Championship and have defeated Toulouse and Saracens over the past month to make a perfect start in the European Champions Cup.
From Barron's ● Feb. 5, 2026
At Portorož he confirmed that he’d grown in strength sufficiently to have defeated all the Soviet grandmasters competing with him for the title.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
