defeated smiles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defeated smiles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe smiles that convey a sense of resignation or loss, often in a context where someone is trying to mask their disappointment or sadness. Example: "As they walked away from the competition, their defeated smiles spoke volumes about their unfulfilled hopes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Defeated Smiles yield "thick blood" and "thin blood".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We win the match on the next point, shake hands with the ladies we just defeated and smile as we head off the court to have lunch.

Huffington Post

Hence, even when Risotto defeated SISMA_ Smile, the latter was still relatively fast.

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

As she said in defeat, smiling as ever, tearful yet not crushed, that was as well as she could box and it was not good enough against the best female boxer of them all.

The Guardian - Sport

Nixon, recently defeated, even manages to smile brightly.

The New Yorker

With a defeated expression and fake smile, Eric answered some basic questions my friend and I were anxious to know the answers to, namely: Where are all the vibrators?

Vice

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) 2 Aug 12 Djokovic is all smiles now, having defeated Tsonga, 6-4, 7-5.

The New York Times

CHICAGO — The screams of joy came from the losing locker room, where emotions shifted sharply like momentum at Soldier Field, where smiles replaced frowns, where the defeated players dumped an ice bucket on their head coach in celebration.

The New York Times - Sports

You could see it on the smiling face of Prado, who defeated War Emblem in the Belmont Stakes with another colt trained by McPeek, Sarava.

The New York Times - Sports

Juncker was all smiles as he greeted Cameron, who was defeated 26-2 by fellow EU leaders in a vote on the presidency.

The Guardian

He does it all with a smile on his face, never frustrated or defeated, totally comfortable playing a game that he full well knows is rigged.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defeated smiles" when you want to convey a complex emotion where someone is outwardly presenting a smile, but inwardly feeling defeated or discouraged. It adds depth and nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "defeated smiles" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact. Instead, consider using synonyms or rephrasing to describe the emotion in different ways, maintaining reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defeated smiles" functions as a descriptive phrase, where the adjective "defeated" modifies the noun "smiles". This describes the quality or character of the smiles, indicating they are worn despite or in response to a feeling of defeat. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a usable expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defeated smiles" is a grammatically sound and descriptively evocative expression used to depict a complex emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable expression. It conveys a blend of outward positivity and inward discouragement, suggesting resilience or resignation. While relatively rare, it finds usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Alternatives like "resigned smiles" or "bittersweet smiles" can offer nuanced variations. Remember to use "defeated smiles" judiciously to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faint smiles of defeat

Adds 'of defeat' to the description, directly linking the smile to the concept of being defeated

resigned smiles

Emphasizes acceptance of defeat or a disappointing outcome.

disheartened smiles

Highlights the loss of enthusiasm or hope behind the smile.

wistful smiles

Focuses on a sense of longing or regret mixed with the smile.

rueful smiles

Implies a slightly self-deprecating or apologetic smile.

bittersweet smiles

Conveys a mixture of happiness and sadness in the expression.

forced smiles

Suggests the smile is insincere and hides true feelings of defeat.

sad smiles

Directly indicates the presence of sadness despite the smile.

disappointed smiles

Specifies that the smile is a result of disappointment.

hollow smiles

Indicates that the smile lacks genuine emotion or warmth.

FAQs

How can I use "defeated smiles" in a sentence?

You can use "defeated smiles" to describe a situation where someone is smiling despite experiencing defeat or disappointment. For example: "Despite the loss, the team wore "defeated smiles" as they shook hands with their opponents."

What are some alternatives to "defeated smiles"?

Some alternatives to "defeated smiles" include "resigned smiles", "wistful smiles", or "bittersweet smiles", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "defeated smiles"?

Yes, "defeated smiles" is grammatically correct. "Defeated" is an adjective modifying the noun "smiles". It follows standard English grammar rules.

What's the difference between "defeated smiles" and "forced smiles"?

"Defeated smiles" suggests a genuine smile that masks underlying disappointment, while "forced smiles" imply an insincere smile used to hide true feelings, which may or may not include defeat.