defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'defeat' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means 'to overcome or vanquish in a contest, or to fail to do something' (Merriam-Webster). Example sentence: The team's hard work paid off and they ultimately defeated their opponents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let us assure you that the Government will do all we can to defeat the voices of division, but ultimately the challenges of integration and radicalisation cannot be solved from Whitehall alone.

The Guardian

A Labour source said that, given teenagers have a "tremendous vested interest in whether or not we stay in the EU or leave", there could be a strong appetite for amending the EU referendum bill in the Lords, even if Labour and the SNP fail to recruit the relatively small number of Tory rebels they would need to defeat the government in the Commons.

The Guardian

Iran is sending arms to Assad because they know his downfall would be a strategic defeat for them.

The New York Times

There is no love lost between the Farc and the US: Washington put the guerrilla group on its list of terrorist organizations in 1997 and poured billions of dollars of military aid into a campaign to defeat them.

The Guardian

But Smith's failure to make a major impact in Europe - the finest moment probably being the home-and-away defeat of Leeds United in 1992, later missing out on a Champions League final place by one point - led to the clamour for something new.

The Guardian - Sport

That defeat to Kumkhum last year hurt badly, Kvitova said, but it may also have helped her dig deeper to find the form that won her another Wimbledon.

The Guardian - Sport

The papers were full of pessimistic predictions regarding Javier Zanetti's future in professional football after the 39-year-old tore his Achilles tendon during Inter's defeat to Palermo last month.

The Guardian - Sport

They've been watching the SNP's phenomenal surge since the Scottish referendum defeat last September.

The Guardian - Opinion

Arsenal fans also delighted in his on-field berating of Özil following the 6-3 defeat at Manchester City last December; Özil had made straight for the dressing room, and not the travelling supporters.

The Guardian - Sport

Carr has confirmed weeks of speculation that he is leaving politics following Labor's election defeat on 7 September.

The Guardian

Now he will be hoping that promotion for his beloved Norwich FC will provide solace for a crushing and very personal defeat.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a competition or conflict, choose "defeat" to clearly indicate that one side overcame the other. Consider stronger verbs like "vanquish" or "subdue" for more emphasis, or milder terms like "beat" in casual contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "defeat" in formal or academic writing. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "overcome", "neutralize", or "counter" to maintain a sophisticated and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "defeat" is as a transitive verb, indicating the act of overcoming an opponent or challenge. Ludwig AI shows that "defeat" can also function as a noun, referring to the state of being defeated. The phrase is used in various contexts to express the outcome of a contest or struggle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

The Guardian - Sport

22%

The Guardian

22%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defeat" is a versatile word primarily used as a verb to describe overcoming an opponent, but also functioning as a noun to refer to the state of being defeated. Ludwig AI confirms the word is grammatically correct and very common. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, but also in The Guardian - Sport, and The Guardian. When choosing synonyms, consider the context: "overcome" for general challenges, or stronger terms like "vanquish" for decisive victories. Avoid overuse in formal writing by exploring alternative vocabulary to maintain a sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beat

A simple and direct synonym for "defeat", suitable for informal contexts.

overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with a challenge or adversary, similar to "defeat" but broader in scope.

vanquish

Implies a more decisive and complete victory than "defeat".

subdue

Suggests bringing someone or something under control, often through force, conveying a stronger sense of domination than "defeat".

conquer

Implies gaining control over something after "defeating" it, often used in a military or territorial sense.

overpower

Emphasizes the use of superior strength or force to win, implying a lack of resistance.

rout

Indicates a disorganized retreat after a complete "defeat", emphasizing the extent of the loss.

lose to

Expresses the opposite of "defeat", focusing on the experience of being defeated.

succumb to

Suggests giving in to pressure or an overwhelming force, similar to experiencing "defeat" in a struggle.

be overcome by

Expresses being overwhelmed by something, leading to a state of "defeat" or failure.

FAQs

How can I use "defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "defeat" to describe overcoming an opponent in a competition, such as "The army aimed to defeat the enemy", or to describe the failure of a plan, such as "The proposal suffered a major defeat in the senate".

What's the difference between "defeat" and "overcome"?

"Defeat" implies winning a specific contest or battle, whereas "overcome" suggests successfully dealing with a challenge or difficulty in a broader sense.

What can I say instead of "defeat" in a formal context?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "neutralize", "thwart", or "overpower" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "defeat" as a noun?

Yes, "defeat" can be used as a noun, referring to the act of being defeated or the state of having lost, such as "The team suffered a crushing defeat".