was defeated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was defeated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one person or team lost to another in a competition or conflict. Example: "The champion was defeated by an underdog in the final match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was defeated by Steele.

The Guardian

Three years later, he was defeated by Mr. Rangel.

The New York Times

Anthony's team was defeated by Cooke's group.

The New York Times - Sports

His motion was defeated by one vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was defeated by a landslide.

The New Yorker

Labour was defeated by the clock.

The Guardian - Opinion

The measure was defeated by one vote.

The New York Times

It was defeated by a vote of 35 to 24.

The New York Times

Yet even she was defeated by keeping goats.

The New York Times - Food

Northwestern, however, was defeated by the University of Southern California.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But her amendment was defeated by 234 votes to 198.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was defeated by", ensure the context clearly identifies both the loser and the winner. For example, "The incumbent was defeated by the challenger."

Common error

Avoid using "was defeated by" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. Instead of "The bill was defeated by the opposition", consider "The opposition defeated the bill".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was defeated by" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject experienced a loss. This structure emphasizes the recipient of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig examples confirm its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

18%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Huffington Post

7%

The Guardian - Opinion

2%

The New York Times - Sports

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was defeated by" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a loss in various contexts. As verified by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and wiki sources. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, active voice constructions may be preferred in more formal writing for the sake of directness. Alternatives such as "lost to" or "was beaten by" can be used, with slight variations in formality or emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating both the loser and the winner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was beaten by

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym.

lost to

A simpler and more concise way of expressing defeat.

was overcome by

This alternative suggests being overwhelmed, either physically or emotionally.

succumbed to

This alternative implies yielding to a stronger force or pressure.

was bested by

This alternative is a slightly more formal and less common synonym.

was conquered by

This alternative is a more forceful term, often used in military or strategic contexts.

was outdone by

This alternative means that someone else performed better.

was triumphed over by

This alternative adds emphasis to the victory of the opponent.

was edged out by

This alternative suggests a narrow or slight defeat.

was overthrown by

This alternative suggests a forceful removal from power or position.

FAQs

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

You can use "was defeated by" to show that someone or something lost to someone or something else. For instance, "The army "was defeated by" the enemy" or "The proposal "was defeated by" a vote of 35 to 24".

What are some alternatives to saying "was defeated by"?

Alternatives include "lost to", "was beaten by", "was overcome by", or "succumbed to", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a defeat?

While "was defeated by" is grammatically correct in passive voice, active voice (e.g., "X defeated Y") is often more direct and impactful. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the loser or the winner.

What's the difference between "was defeated by" and "was beaten by"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Was beaten by" is slightly more informal and common, while "was defeated by" might sound a touch more formal, although they both convey the same basic meaning of losing.