be defeated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be defeated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone or something loses to another person or entity in a competition or conflict. Example: "The team was ultimately be defeated by their rivals in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It cannot be defeated by backward people".

The New York Times

But they can't be defeated by it".

The Guardian

You don't have to be defeated by stress.

Stanford University

They will not be defeated by this earthquake.

The New York Times

Five clubs can be defeated by two tricks.

The New York Times

"We will not be defeated by adversity," she said.

The New York Times

The baddies can be defeated by More Europe.

The Economist

No one expects the insurgency to be defeated by then.

The New York Times - Magazine

I don't like to be defeated by difficulties.

The Guardian - Film

It is to be defeated by ever greater things.

The Guardian - Books

In the end, Isis can only be defeated by Sunnis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be defeated by", ensure the sentence clearly indicates both the entity that was defeated and the entity that caused the defeat to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be defeated by" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The enemy was defeated by our forces", consider "Our forces defeated the enemy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be defeated by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something has been overcome or lost to an external force. As Ludwig confirms, this structure is grammatically correct. For instance, Ludwig provides examples like "They may be defeated by the Abkhaz forces".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be defeated by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to describe a loss or failure caused by an external force. According to Ludwig, it is found in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. While grammatically sound, writers should consider whether an active voice construction might be more impactful. Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples showcase its broad applicability and appropriate usage across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overcome by

Emphasizes the act of being overwhelmed, suggesting a more forceful influence.

be conquered by

Implies a more decisive and forceful victory by the opposing force.

be beaten by

A more informal way of saying "be defeated by", suggesting a clear loss.

succumb to

Highlights yielding or giving in to an overpowering force.

be subdued by

Indicates a lessening of intensity or strength due to an external force.

fall victim to

Suggests a negative outcome due to an unfortunate or unavoidable circumstance.

be bested by

Implies a superior skill or strategy led to the defeat.

be outmatched by

Highlights the inferiority in terms of strength or ability.

be surpassed by

Focuses on being exceeded or outperformed, typically in a competitive sense.

be overthrown by

Suggests a forceful removal from power or position.

FAQs

How can I use "be defeated by" in a sentence?

Use "be defeated by" to show that someone or something has lost against another entity. For example: "The proposal was "be defeated by" the Republican majority".

What are some alternatives to "be defeated by"?

Alternatives include "be overcome by", "be beaten by", or "succumb to". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be defeated by"?

While "be defeated by" is grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "The enemy defeated us") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Consider your audience and the message you want to convey.

What's the difference between "be defeated by" and "lose to"?

"Be defeated by" is more formal than "lose to". While both convey the same basic meaning, "be defeated by" is often used in more serious or official contexts, whereas "lose to" is more common in everyday conversation.