experience defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

"experience defeat" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to undergo or encounter a loss, failure, or setback. Example: Despite their best efforts, the team experienced defeat in the championship game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

LC: It's a ferocious activity, where you experience defeat and you experience acceptance and you experience exultation.

The Guardian - Music

Jones is also mindful his England side has yet to experience defeat: "It's always fun when you are winning.

The Guardian - Sport

The Vietnam experience — defeat in the field coupled with discord at home — also symbolized America's passage from a largely unified nation to the sharply polarized one it has been ever since.

The New York Times - Books

Everton are Sunderland's opponents tomorrow at Goodison Park and once again the statistics make grim reading for O'Neill: Moyes has faced Sunderland 17 times since taking over at Everton and has yet to experience defeat.

Independent

When Democrats lose elections, they experience defeat as total repudiation and start asking themselves the kind of existential questions inspired by an encounter with death: What is the basis for my being?

The New York Times

The Tigers have yet to experience defeat this season and, with 15 games remaining, are supremely confident of finishing with a perfect mark in a sport where failure is an accepted part of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Then in September 2007, Vermont's club team, whose members had no college playing experience, defeated the Vermont Ravens, a semiprofessional team.

The New York Times

Unlike most Israeli commanders, Sharon experienced defeat.

The New Yorker

Djokovic had not experienced defeat since Federer beat him at the Masters Cup in London last November.

The New York Times - Sports

Coquelin has experienced defeat only once in 17 league games this season; he is not an Invincible but has certainly become indispensable.

The Guardian - Sport

Why would you back a horse at odds-on to win a championship race at a course where he has only ever experienced defeat?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "experience defeat" to emphasize the personal or emotional impact of losing, rather than simply stating a loss occurred. This adds depth and conveys a sense of undergoing a challenging event.

Common error

While "experience defeat" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal or business writing. Opt for more direct and concise alternatives like "suffer a loss" or "encounter a setback" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experience defeat" functions as a verb phrase where "experience" acts as a transitive verb taking "defeat" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase, implying the undergoing or encountering of a loss.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experience defeat" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of undergoing a loss or setback. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage. While not exceedingly frequent, it finds its place in various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it conveys the impact of losses in sports, politics, or personal endeavors. Alternative phrases, like "suffer a loss" or "encounter a setback", provide nuanced options for expressing similar concepts. When writing, consider the emotional impact you aim to convey, and adjust your vocabulary accordingly, and do not overuse the expression in Formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffer a loss

Focuses on the negative outcome of losing something, which could be a game, an argument, or a battle.

undergo a setback

Highlights the experience of encountering an obstacle that delays progress or success.

meet with failure

Emphasizes the lack of success in an endeavor, portraying a direct confrontation with failure.

taste bitterness

Uses figurative language to describe the unpleasant sensation associated with losing or failing.

face disappointment

Highlights the emotional aspect of not achieving a desired outcome.

endure hardship

Focuses on the aspect of enduring difficulties and challenging situations.

be overcome by

Highlights the aspect of being overpowered or overwhelmed by a negative force or opponent.

bow to adversity

Implies yielding or submitting to challenging circumstances or misfortune.

succumb to pressure

Stresses the aspect of giving in or surrendering due to external forces or stress.

fall short of victory

Focuses on not achieving the desired outcome, specifically in the context of competition or achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "experience defeat" to describe a situation where someone or something undergoes a loss or setback. For example, "The team had to experience defeat before they learned how to win."

What phrases are similar to "experience defeat"?

Similar phrases include "suffer a loss", "undergo a setback", or "meet with failure". These alternatives offer different shades of meaning while conveying the concept of encountering a loss.

Is it better to say "experienced defeat" or "suffered defeat"?

"Experienced defeat" and "suffered defeat" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Suffered defeat" might imply a greater degree of hardship or negativity.

What's the difference between "experience defeat" and "experience failure"?

"Experience defeat" often refers to a specific instance of losing, such as in a competition or battle. "Experience failure" can refer to a broader or more general lack of success in an endeavor. The terms are very similar.