declare defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

'declare defeat' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has officially announced that they have lost a competition or contest. For example, "After two rounds of voting, the losing candidate had to declare defeat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"This is no time to declare defeat.

The New York Times

"I'm not willing to declare defeat in any industry," he said.

The New York Times

If we are unwilling to commit American troops to this battle, we should declare defeat and go home.

The New York Times

In the face of such ambiguities, the temptation is to declare defeat and withdraw from the world's violent corners.

The New York Times - Magazine

While I would like to see her suggestion of supplemental instruction during the school year offered, it seems a bit early to declare defeat and scale back summer school before it has even been tried for a year.

The New York Times

With Democrats shouting to end the voting and declare defeat, Mr. DeMint and the House leaders engaged in animated discussions on the floor before Mr. DeMint got his letter.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Weyrich declared defeat: Cultural Marxism is succeeding in its war against our culture.

The New York Times

T.C.I. declared defeat and sold its position, taking its directors off the board.

The New York Times

That would look too much like declaring defeat and going cap in hand to America's regional enemies, Iran and Syria, to sue for peace.

The Economist

On Monday night, Schlessinger declared defeat, announcing on Larry King's CNN show that she would not be doing any more radio shows.

Independent

Their attack, some said, was also a fundamental assault on American values, and to respond by constricting constitutional rights would be equivalent to declaring defeat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declare defeat" when you want to emphasize the formal announcement or acknowledgement of a loss, especially in competitive situations like elections or battles.

Common error

While both phrases are similar, "declare defeat" often implies a more public or formal announcement than simply "admitting defeat". Use "declare defeat" when the act of announcement is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declare defeat" functions as a verbal expression, indicating a formal or explicit announcement of acknowledging loss in a competition, election, or conflict. It emphasizes the act of making the defeat known, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declare defeat" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, primarily found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to formally acknowledge loss, especially in competitive situations. Alternatives like "concede defeat" or "admit defeat" offer similar meanings but may lack the formality of "declare defeat". When writing, remember that "declare defeat" implies a public announcement, distinguishing it from simply admitting a loss. Its neutral register makes it suitable for objective reporting and formal statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concede defeat

Shares the core meaning of acknowledging loss but emphasizes yielding or surrendering.

admit defeat

Focuses on acknowledging the fact of being defeated, often after resistance.

acknowledge loss

A more general way of expressing defeat, suitable for various contexts.

accept failure

Emphasizes the acceptance of not succeeding rather than the act of declaring it.

wave the white flag

An idiomatic expression that describes the surrendering using a flag.

throw in the towel

An idiomatic expression meaning to quit or give up.

surrender unconditionally

Implies a complete and total submission without any conditions.

relinquish the fight

Indicates abandonment of the struggle or effort.

capitulate

A formal term for surrendering or ceasing resistance.

succumb to pressure

Emphasizes the force or influence that led to the defeat.

FAQs

How can I use "declare defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "declare defeat" to describe someone formally acknowledging their loss, for example, "The candidate had to "concede defeat" and congratulate the winner".

What are some alternatives to "declare defeat"?

Some alternatives include "admit defeat", "concede defeat", or "acknowledge loss", depending on the context.

Is it better to "declare defeat" or "admit defeat"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Declare defeat" implies a formal announcement, while "admit defeat" is a more general acknowledgement of loss. If the announcement is a public act, "declare defeat" is more fitting.

What does it mean to "wave the white flag" instead of "declare defeat"?

Wave the white flag is an idiom that represents surrender or giving up, often implying a more visual or symbolic act than simply declaring defeat.