DEFEAT Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

defeat 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈfēt

Definition of defeat next

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over they defeated their archrivals easily and moved into the next round of the play-offs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defeat

2 of 2

noun

as in loss

failure to win a contest sore losers still griping about their defeat in the basketball game earlier that week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in collapse

a falling short of one's goals truly disheartened by the defeat of his plans to revitalize downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

How does the verb defeat differ from other similar words?

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

Sophia Morin sniped seven goals, while Ciara Hendricks scored five goals as Mashpee defeated Bourne, 17-8. —

Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2026 Mitch Marner had three goals and two assists and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period to defeat the Calgary Flames 6-3 on Thursday night. —

ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Noun

More than anything else, this game was reminiscent of the 2-1 defeat by Greece here in October 2024 when Lee Carsley was in charge, just before Tuchel was announced as his permanent replacement. —

Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026 In front of more than 70,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Francisco Trincão scored in the 37th minute, João Félix added a goal in the 59th, as Portugal beat the United States 2-0 in a friendly on Tuesday night to deal the Americans their eighth consecutive defeat against European opponents. —

Ajc Sports, AJC.com, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat

Verb

Bane overcame a slow start by making six of his first seven attempts at the free-throw line to reach 10 points after two quarters.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly's snap shot from the high slot that beat Anaheim goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of overcome

Browse Nearby Words

defeasances

defeat

defeated

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeat. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of defeat

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on defeat

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

cotton

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes