defeat 1 of 2

defeat

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defeat differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defeat are conquer, overcome, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When is conquer a more appropriate choice than defeat?

In some situations, the words conquer and defeat are roughly equivalent. However, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

When could overcome be used to replace defeat?

While in some cases nearly identical to defeat, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When might overthrow be a better fit than defeat?

While the synonyms overthrow and defeat are close in meaning, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When can reduce be used instead of defeat?

The meanings of reduce and defeat largely overlap; however, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Where would subdue be a reasonable alternative to defeat?

The words subdue and defeat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When would vanquish be a good substitute for defeat?

The synonyms vanquish and defeat are sometimes interchangeable, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defeat
Verb
Instead of enjoying the display, the men look utterly defeated. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025 There will be no Big Crunch, because there isn’t enough matter in the Universe to defeat the expansion and lead to a recollapse. Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
The issue is whether the focus remains, as promised, on celebrating the team’s victories (or consoling their defeats). Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025 Harris recalls her team being prepared for every scenario on election night except her defeat. Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat
Verb
  • For Woodruff, The Green Kitchen was born out of her own healing journey after overcoming the Epstein-Barr virus and heavy metal toxicity through mindful eating and nutrient-dense foods.
    Wyles Daniel, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The six-week course, according to a syllabus, blends positive thinking with business and money strategies, offering advice on how to outwork the competition, manage ego, overcome failure and set goals — with homework assignments included.
    Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Farley has managed to woo Wall Street more than his two most recent predecessors — both of whom departed the company after double-digit losses in Ford's stock price.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Following Indiana's loss to the Aces, Clark took to social media on X and shared a short and touching message to her teammates and to the Fever fan base.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • High seas and rough surf from two hurricanes have been blamed for the collapse of seven houses on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • After the collapse, the city placed the building on the dangerous buildings list and issued an order that it being repaired or demolished.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No other team has been able to master it like the Eagles have been able to.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • From day one, new consultants rotate across industries, geographies, and functions, adapting on the fly and mastering unfamiliar businesses.
    Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The killing involved a lengthy beating and torture.
    Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
  • And in a few moments the room is filled with the faint whooshing sound of a small heart beating.
    Katia Riddle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Griffith and CityBeat reporter Madeline Fening are facing charges, including disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, obstructing a highway and obstructing an emergency responder.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Luckily, clever Frances must have understood her caper was destined for failure.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Corporate earnings continue to beat expectations, providing enough fuel for the market rally to continue at least until investors parse through third quarter earnings results in the coming months, Teal said.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The rest—including in May 2023, when Nvidia had the biggest positive earnings surprise a company has ever delivered, beating expectations handily and then offering a quarterly revenue forecast that was $4 billion above expectations—is history.
    Jim Cramer, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Seeking an explanation for this unexpected setback, Army Special Operations reached out in 2021 to my lab at Ohio State University.
    Angus Fletcher, Big Think, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Four senior players were ruled out with significant physical setbacks last week.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeat. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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