suffer defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
To use it, you would need to write a sentence that makes sense to a reader. For example, "The team was devastated when they had to suffer defeat in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Never one to suffer defeat easily, Clay ordered American M48 tanks to head for Checkpoint Charlie.

The Guardian

The congregation was told that ISIS sought the "end times" of diversity and tolerance but would ultimately suffer defeat.

Independent

As Napoleon finally begins to suffer defeat after defeat, the French consul, Daville, finds he is treated differently.

The New York Times

The only other title to change hands on the night saw Del Rio suffer defeat in his United States Championship defence against Kalisto.

Independent

That, too, would change should it suffer defeat in Eastleigh, and the messy response of the leadership to the Rennard story come into play.

Independent

"Sales is like war: in some cases it's better to die on the battlefield than to suffer defeat," Zhang Lihong, of Tsinghua University Press, told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Recent weeks have also seen the ruling coalition suffer defeats in parliament.

The Guardian - Opinion

No matter who you lead, they will suffer defeats.

Forbes

Soon, however, they suffered defeat after defeat.

The New York Times - Books

[But] cold war methods have suffered defeat in strategic terms.

The Guardian - Books

Brendan Rodgers suffers defeat in this fixture for the first time.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffer defeat" to describe a specific instance of losing in a contest, battle, or election. It often implies a sense of disappointment or hardship.

Common error

Avoid using "suffer defeat" in situations where a simple 'lose' or 'fail' would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer defeat" functions as a verb phrase where 'suffer' acts as a transitive verb taking 'defeat' as its direct object. It describes the action of experiencing defeat, often implying a negative or difficult experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's readily usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffer defeat" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the experience of losing. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, from news reporting to historical accounts. While alternatives like "experience a loss" or "meet with failure" exist, "suffer defeat" often carries a stronger emotional weight, implying hardship or disappointment. Its prevalence in news and encyclopedic sources suggests a broad understanding and acceptance of this usage. When using this phrase, writers should be mindful of the tone and context to ensure it aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience a loss

Replaces "suffer defeat" with a more general term for losing.

succumb to defeat

Highlights the act of giving in to the condition of being defeated.

meet with failure

Uses a more formal and slightly less direct way of expressing defeat.

endure a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of the defeat as a temporary impediment.

taste failure

Uses a metaphorical sense to describe the experience of defeat.

be vanquished

A more dramatic and literary way to describe being defeated.

face downfall

Suggests a significant and possibly irreversible defeat.

fall short

Focuses on not reaching a goal, implying defeat.

get the worst of it

An informal way to indicate being defeated in a competition or conflict.

bow to the inevitable

Implies accepting defeat as an unavoidable outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "suffer defeat" to describe losing a battle, game, election, or any kind of competition. For example, "The army was forced to suffer defeat after a long and difficult campaign."

What are some alternatives to "suffer defeat"?

Alternatives include "experience a loss", "meet with failure", or "be vanquished". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it more appropriate to say "suffer defeat" or "experience defeat"?

"Suffer defeat" often carries a stronger emotional connotation, suggesting a more difficult or painful loss, whereas "experience defeat" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "suffer defeat" and "suffer a setback"?

"Suffer defeat" usually implies a complete loss in a specific event, whereas "suffer a setback" suggests a temporary hindrance or obstacle that might not necessarily mean total failure.