was not defeated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not defeated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something did not lose in a competition, conflict, or challenge. Example: "Despite the odds stacked against him, he was not defeated in his quest for justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But he was not defeated.

The New York Times

Cornwallis was not defeated in the Carolinas.

The New York Times

France was not defeated as long as the women weren't.

The New Yorker

"The Rayleigh-Taylor model was not defeated that easily".

The New York Times - Science

After that, she joined the Women's Peace Movement to show she was not defeated.

The New Yorker

But, as the work here makes clear, its mission was not defeated.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Their desire wasn't defeated — it was merely forgotten.

The New Yorker

Santorum wasn't defeated by the voters in 2006; he was repudiated.

The New York Times

But she wasn't defeated, and then President Obama wisely decided to keep her close.

Los Angeles Times

But she is not defeated.

The New York Times

I'm not defeated.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical events or conflicts, use "was not defeated" to accurately portray outcomes where a complete loss did not occur. For example, "The army was not defeated, but it was forced to retreat."

Common error

Avoid using "was not defeated" when a subject has clearly won. Opt for stronger terms like "won" or "triumphed" to accurately reflect the positive outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not defeated" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the absence of defeat. Ludwig AI shows it's commonly used to describe situations where an entity avoids losing, though it may not have achieved a complete victory.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not defeated" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the absence of defeat, even if a clear victory was not achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and common occurrence across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and wiki sources. When writing, it's essential to use this phrase to accurately reflect situations where entities avoid losing rather than to describe complete victories. Alternatives like "remained undefeated" or "emerged victorious" can provide more nuanced and contextual descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained undefeated

Focuses specifically on an unbroken streak of success, often in sports or competitions.

was not overcome

Emphasizes the failure of something or someone to subdue or conquer.

was not subdued

Highlights the failure to bring someone or something under control.

emerged victorious

Highlights the act of winning or succeeding after a challenge.

proved triumphant

Similar to "emerged victorious" but emphasizes the demonstration of victory.

withstood the challenge

Implies resistance and endurance against adversity.

prevailed against the odds

Stresses success despite unfavorable circumstances.

stayed resilient

Highlights the ability to recover quickly from difficulties.

endured the setback

Focuses on persevering through a temporary failure or obstacle.

maintained dominance

Indicates a continued state of control or superiority.

FAQs

How can I use "was not defeated" in a sentence?

Use "was not defeated" to indicate that someone or something did not lose in a competition, conflict, or challenge, but also didn't necessarily win outright. For example, "Despite the challenges, the team "was not defeated", managing to secure a draw".

What are some alternatives to "was not defeated"?

You can use alternatives like "remained undefeated", "emerged victorious", or "was not overcome" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was not defeated" or "won"?

The choice depends on the context. "Won" implies a clear victory, while "was not defeated" suggests that a loss was avoided, even if a victory wasn't achieved. If there's no clear victory, "was not defeated" may be more accurate.

What's the difference between "was not defeated" and "was not beaten"?

"Was not defeated" generally refers to broader contests or conflicts, whereas "was not beaten" can refer to more specific instances of competition. While similar, "was not defeated" often carries a slightly more formal or strategic connotation.