has defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has defeated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something has won against an opponent or overcome a challenge in the present perfect tense. Example: "The team has defeated their rivals in the championship match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Democracy has defeated fear".

The Guardian - Business

"India has defeated polio and Angola has defeated it twice," Mr. Gates said on Tuesday.

The New York Times

But today's snow has defeated me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Aigner has defeated some strong players over the years.

The New York Times

Villanova has defeated Pennsylvania in 12 straight years.

The New York Times - Sports

Hingis has defeated Kournikova in 9 of 10 meetings.

The New York Times - Sports

The work's seemingly run-on structure has defeated many conductors.

The New York Times - Arts

Connecticut has defeated Georgia and Louisiana Tech this season.

The New York Times - Sports

That has defeated better men and women and still does.

The Guardian - Books

But until now the very volume of data involved has defeated attempts to analyse it.

The Economist

He has defeated competitors from different generations by studying their strengths and weaknesses.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has defeated" to clearly and directly state that someone or something has won against an opponent or overcome a challenge. Ensure the context provides clarity on who or what was defeated.

Common error

Avoid using "has defeated" when referring to future events. "Will defeat" is more appropriate for expressing a future victory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has defeated" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates a completed action of overcoming an opponent or challenge, with relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Sports

32%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has defeated" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to declare a victory or triumph in the present perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and science. While highly versatile, being aware of correct tense usage is important. For alternatives, consider "has triumphed over", "has conquered", or "has overcome" for nuanced expression. Remember to avoid misusing the phrase when referring to future events, opting for "will defeat" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has overcome

Focuses on the act of successfully dealing with a problem or obstacle.

has triumphed over

Indicates a significant victory, often against considerable odds, emphasizing the act of overcoming a challenge.

has beaten

A more informal way of saying "has defeated", suitable for casual contexts.

has conquered

Suggests a complete and decisive victory, often implying control or dominance over the defeated.

has prevailed against

Implies overcoming difficulties or opposition, highlighting the sustained effort required for success.

was victorious over

A more formal and emphatic way to declare a win over someone or something.

has gained victory against

Emphasizes the achievement of victory, highlighting the effort involved.

has gotten the better of

Suggests outsmarting or outmaneuvering an opponent.

has subdued

Implies bringing someone or something under control after a struggle.

has dominated

Suggests a strong and overwhelming victory, implying a position of power and control.

FAQs

How do I use "has defeated" in a sentence?

Use "has defeated" to indicate that someone or something has won or triumphed over an opponent or challenge in the past, with continuing relevance to the present. For example: "The team has defeated their rivals."

What can I say instead of "has defeated"?

You can use alternatives like "has triumphed over", "has conquered", or "has overcome" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had defeated" instead of "has defeated"?

Using "had defeated" places the victory further in the past relative to another past event. "Has defeated" connects the victory to the present. The choice depends on the specific timeline you're describing.

What is the difference between "has defeated" and "defeated"?

"Has defeated" is in the present perfect tense, indicating a past action with present relevance or consequence. "Defeated" is in the simple past tense, simply stating that the action occurred in the past. For example, "The army defeated the enemy last year," versus "The army has defeated every enemy this year."