total defeats

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total defeats" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the complete number of losses experienced in a particular context, such as sports or competitions. Example: "The team faced total defeats in all their matches this season, leading to their relegation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not to mention that Germany and Japan were more homogeneous than the countries in question today, more broken after total defeats and thus more eager to reinvent themselves from top to bottom.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Neither I, nor any President, can promise the total defeat of terror.

The Guardian

Becoming or even resembling an American would have meant total defeat.

The New Yorker

"Neither I, nor any President, can promise the total defeat of terror," Obama said.

The New Yorker

The Allied coalition was held together by one common goal: the total defeat of Nazi Germany.

The New Yorker

"Neither I nor any president can promise the total defeat of terror," he said.

The New York Times

"Neither I, nor any president, can promise the total defeat of terror," he added.

The New York Times

That sounds sensible, as does his admission that "neither I, nor any President, can promise the total defeat of terror.

The New Yorker

This was a rare, almost unprecedented, case of a government prosecution of a whistleblower ending in total defeat and failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

The so-called Old Czechs lost ground in the 1880s and suffered a total defeat in the parliamentary election of 1891.

Encyclopedia Britannica

WHY does the article say that the result of the budget standoff was a near total defeat for Republican conservatives?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "total defeats" to emphasize the completeness and finality of losses, especially in historical or strategic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "total defeats" in casual conversation or informal writing. It is better suited for formal analysis of significant failures or historical events.

Linguistic Context

Noun phrase. The phrase "total defeats" functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig indicates its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It describes multiple instances of complete failure or loss, often in contexts involving conflict or competition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "total defeats" describes complete and absolute failures, particularly in contexts like war, politics, or competitive scenarios. Ludwig indicates its grammatical correctness and highlights its usage in various reputable sources. While grammatically sound, its frequency is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, remember that it’s best used to emphasize the completeness of a failure, particularly in formal analysis or historical accounts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete failures

Emphasizes the utter lack of success, highlighting the complete absence of positive outcomes.

utter losses

Highlights the profound and absolute nature of the losses experienced.

absolute routs

Conveys a sense of overwhelming defeat, particularly in competitive contexts.

decisive setbacks

Focuses on the significant and impactful nature of the defeats.

comprehensive vanquishments

Implies a thorough and all-encompassing defeat, leaving no room for recovery.

unmitigated disasters

Stresses the severity and lack of redeeming qualities in the defeats.

sweeping collapses

Suggests a widespread and far-reaching downfall.

overwhelming downfalls

Emphasizes the crushing and insurmountable nature of the defeats.

catastrophic failures

Highlights the disastrous and devastating consequences of the defeats.

crushing defeats

Focuses on the demoralizing and impactful nature of the defeats.

FAQs

How can I use "total defeats" in a sentence?

"Total defeats" is used to describe situations where failure is absolute and comprehensive. For example: "The Allied forces inflicted "total defeats" on the enemy army."

What are some alternatives to "total defeats"?

Alternatives include "complete failures", "utter losses", or "absolute routs", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "total defeat" or "total defeats" more appropriate?

While both are grammatically correct, "total defeat" refers to a singular instance of complete failure, whereas "total defeats" refers to multiple instances or an aggregate of complete failures.

In what contexts is "total defeats" most commonly used?

"Total defeats" is often used in historical, military, or political analyses to describe situations where a party has experienced a complete and utter loss of power or position.