defeat 1 of 2

defeat

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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
Max Boehm pitched a complete game shutout, striking out eight and allowing four hits while coming through with three hits at the plate as Wellesley (11-5) defeated Brookline, 6-0. Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025 In his only appearance against Dallas, Mahomes defeated the Cowboys 19-9 in 2021 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2025
Noun
But Democrats suffered a defeat that may be more consequential: losing control of the state board that sets voting rules and adjudicates election disputes. Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 16 May 2025 Instead, blame for the defeat should be placed on the Yankees’ inability to drive in automatic ghost runners on the road, a rather specific but repeated issue for the team this season. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for defeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat
Verb
  • Yet amid the devastation, a few glimmers of hope remain—Palestine’s U-20 national women’s team recently won the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship, overcoming Jordan 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the final following a 1-1 draw.
    Samindra Kunti, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • During a stretch in which the Twins are outscoring opponents 68-29, the team is receiving contributions from just about everyone on the roster while concurrently overcoming the mounting injuries.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • One of the key themes of Part II is the fact that everyone is only seeing things from their perspective; all these characters who are suffering loss and passing that suffering on to others are doing so in ignorance.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025
  • Being moved to the rear of the field also resulted in the loss of Ericsson's and Kirkwood's prize money and the championship points from their original finishes.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • They're forced to work together again during the Newton collapse, and Graham's sacrifice triggers something in both of them.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2025
  • The collapse of the Assad regime in December occurred when Ahmed al-Sharaa’s group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rebel coalition.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Nike has mastered this by creating compelling narratives around athletes’ journeys.
    Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 21 May 2025
  • Topics include earning passive income online, mastering communication and public speaking skills, acing your job interview, and practical strategies to grow your wealth.
    Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Two days after the beating, Ventura had to walk the red carpet for the premiere of her movie, The Perfect Match.
    Danielle Bacher, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • Richard said that the beatings continued in the car on the way home after the dinner.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • And when strategy is rolled out, is space built in for reflection, revision and learning, or is deviation still seen as failure?
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Building failures, from malfunctioning boilers and coolers to plumbing and roof leaks, are increasingly occurring, some of them during high-profile medical and tech conventions, the most recent just a couple of months ago.
    Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • Indiana beat the Knicks in seven games last postseason, so New York will be looking for some revenge.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • Then Steel — literally the only one of Dallas’ 11 forwards who isn’t a scorer — stepped into a Harley rebound and beat Hellebuyck high on the glove side.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history.
    Ciarán McArdle, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeat. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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