Synonyms of defeats

defeats 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of defeat

as in overcomes

to achieve a victory over

they defeated their archrivals easily and moved into the next round of the play-offs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• overcomes
• masters
• beats
• conquers
• takes
• gets
• dispatches
• stops
• subdues
• surmounts
• succeeds
• upends
• bests
• overmatches
• wins (against)
• triumphs (over)
• overbears
• prevails (over)
• worsts
• licks
• gets the better of
• does down
• buries
• overwhelms
• gets around
• trims
• finishes
• crushes
• slaughters
• surpasses
• sweeps
• upsets
• scores
• skunks
• routs
• knocks for a loop
• annihilates
• drubs
• exceeds
• vanquishes
• excels
• trounces
• flattens
• clobbers
• bombs
• blows out
• thrashes
• edges (out)
• overthrows
• blows away
• overpowers
• subjugates
• whips
• wallops
• noses out
• breaks
• transcends
• flourishes
• caps
• tops
• unseats
• eclipses
• outshines
• outdistances
• knocks over
• smokes
• pips
• skins
• outdoes
• knocks off
• creams
• shellacs
• outstrips
• waxes
• snows under
• overtops
• outfights
• betters
• aces (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loses (to)
• falls
• goes down
• fails
• collapses
• goes under
• gives up
• folds
• flops
• washes out
• flunks

defeats

2 of 2

noun

plural of defeat

1

as in losses

failure to win a contest

sore losers still griping about their defeat in the basketball game earlier that week

Synonyms & Similar Words

• losses
• setbacks
• beatings
• routs
• overthrows
• drubbings
• failures
• trimmings
• whippings
• lickings
• collapses
• upsets
• shellackings
• plasterings
• shutouts
• flops
• lumps
• fiascoes
• debacles
• fizzles
• washouts
• lurches
• nonsuccesses
• whitewashes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• victories
• wins
• successes
• triumphs
• achievements
• accomplishments
• sweeps
• landslides
• blowouts
• runaways
• romps
• cakewalks
• walkovers
• walkaways

2

as in collapses

a falling short of one's goals

truly disheartened by the defeat of his plans to revitalize downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapses
• failures
• crashes
• setbacks
• fizzles
• disappointments
• croppers
• futilities
• nonsuccesses
• deficiencies
• nonachievements
• inadequacies
• letdowns
• insufficiencies
• inefficacies
• ineffectualities

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• achievements
• successes
• accomplishments
• victories
• wins

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of defeats

Verb

Seven Democratic incumbents have lost their primaries so far, already tying with 2012 for the most Democratic House incumbent defeats this century. — Chad De Guzman, Time, 14 Aug. 2026

Felix Rosenqvist defeats David Malukas at the Checkered Flag in the closest finish in Indianapolis 500 history in the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. — Bruce Martin, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The player whose monster army defeats the most babies wins the game. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Just don’t withdraw more money from your bank account; that defeats the purpose. — Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026

Gonzales says leaving excess hair in your catcher defeats the point of using one. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026

Kylian Mbappé held scoreless as Spain defeats France in World Cup semi. — Alex Connor, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Cespedes defeats Todd Frazier in the final round, 9 long balls to 1, having hit 28 overall. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Switzerland joked that Okoye will remain as assistant coach if the team defeats Argentina. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Noun

In taking the loss, Roupp is tied with the Baltimore Orioles’ Shane Baz and the Cleveland Guardians’ Tanner Bibee for the most defeats (12) in the majors. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Paul Taylor Sunderland Sunderland’s pre-season has gradually improved, as defeats to Liverpool and Leeds have given way to encouraging performances, and wins, against Wrexham and Lens. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

But following three straight presidential election defeats and plummeting poll numbers, Cheng won the party leadership on the platform that a radical shake-up was needed. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Louisville has won two of its last three after five straight defeats and beat Orlando 3-2 at Lynn Family Stadium in April. — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC played key roles in both defeats. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Two of his major defeats were for birthright citizenship and for states to accept mail ballots after election day. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Efficiency is always a good thing, but refusing to adapt defeats the whole purpose. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026

Coach Matt LaFleur's squad notoriously blew a 21-3 Wild Card lead against Chicago, losing 31-27, and ended the season with five straight defeats. — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026