was defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was defeated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a person, group, or entity overcoming or being overwhelmed by another. For example: "The home team was defeated by their rivals in the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

(The recall was defeated).

The New Yorker

The amendment was defeated.

The New York Times

He was defeated.

The Economist

Now Mexico was defeated.

The New York Times - Sports

The ban was defeated.

The New York Times

The proposal was defeated.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The measures were defeated.

The New York Times

Predictably, they were defeated.

The Economist

Both were defeated.

The New York Times - Arts

They must be defeated".

The New York Times

Will never be defeated!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was defeated" when you want to describe a past event where someone or something lost in a competition, battle, or contest. Ensure the subject and verb agree in tense and number.

Common error

Avoid using active voice constructions when the passive voice is more appropriate for emphasizing the receiver of the action. For instance, incorrectly stating "The enemy defeated our army" instead of "Our army was defeated by the enemy" when the focus is on what happened to the army.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was defeated" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject of the sentence received the action of being defeated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was defeated" is a very common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe a past loss or failure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, where it serves to report outcomes of battles, elections, or competitions. While versatile, it's crucial to use it appropriately in passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and emphasize the recipient of the action. Alternatives like "suffered a defeat" or "was overcome" can provide subtle variations in meaning. When writing, ensure correct tense and voice to avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered a defeat

Focuses on the experience of undergoing defeat.

was vanquished

A more formal and literary way of saying "was defeated."

lost the battle

Emphasizes a specific conflict or struggle that resulted in a loss.

was conquered

Implies complete control and subjugation by an opposing force.

was overcome

Highlights the act of being surpassed or conquered by an opponent or circumstance.

was bested

Indicates being outdone or surpassed in skill or ability.

succumbed to

Suggests yielding or giving in to pressure or force.

was routed

Suggests a disorganized and chaotic defeat, often in a military context.

was overthrown

Often used in the context of governments or regimes being toppled from power.

met its demise

Implies a complete end or downfall, often used for abstract concepts or movements.

FAQs

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

You can use "was defeated" to describe the outcome of a competition or battle, as in "The defending champion "was defeated" in the final round".

What are some alternatives to "was defeated"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "suffered a defeat", "was overcome", or "lost the battle".

Is it correct to say "defeated was" instead of "was defeated"?

No, the correct order is "was defeated". "Defeated was" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

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

"Was defeated" indicates a past event, while "is defeated" describes a present or habitual state. For example, "The bill "was defeated" last week" versus "The bill "is defeated" every time it is proposed".