defeat 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈfēt How to pronounce defeat (audio)
Definition of defeatnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defeat

2 of 2

noun

1
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
2
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

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
The 2025 Tour de France, as its reigning champion Pogacar has noted on more than one occasion, appeared crafted with one intention in mind — to defeat him. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2025 The exertion to defeat Galactus has seemingly killed Sue, but Franklin brings her back to life using his abilities. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Noun
The pair of weekend defeats sank the Rockies to 27-78. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 July 2025 These laws are standing up to legal scrutiny, with Pornhub being served a defeat in its Supreme Court appeal against the Texas laws earlier this month. —PC Magazine, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for defeat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat
  1. overcome
  2. loss
  3. collapse
  4. master
  5. beating
  6. failure
  7. beat
  8. setback
Verb
  • The Austin district relied heavily on contractors to overcome its chronic backlog of evaluation requests.
    — Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Thunderbolts showed us the true power of the group hug to overcome . . .
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Definition of overcome
Noun
  • The 2022 Republican primary for governor focused heavily on whether to dismantle the Wisconsin Elections Commission as GOP candidates navigated a primary electorate still angry over President Donald Trump's loss in 2020.
    — Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • Analysts predict further job losses in the auto industry if the tariff policy continues.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
Definition of loss
Noun
  • Metallica famously initiated the landmark lawsuit against peer-to-peer file sharing company Napster in 2000, which led to further suits that ultimately caused the company's initial collapse.
    — Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • The idea of cutting any deal with Maduro is political dynamite in Florida, where more than 350,000 Venezuelan Americans have made their homes and where emotions over Venezuela’s collapse on the hands of the Maduro regime run deep.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • And above all, which of us hasn't spent hours upon hours at the local driving range trying to master the craft that is protagonist Happy Gilmore's signature running golf swing?
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Apps that teach users to master them are more likely to stay installed.
    — Alex Kreger, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of master
Noun
  • Jurors saw photographs of other beatings Ventura endured and heard testimony from witnesses who testified under the pseudonyms Mia and Jane Doe about other instances of Combs’ violence.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025
  • In 2024, the mom was seen on a video beating on the dad who she’s now accused of killing, but the charges were dropped.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025
Definition of beating
Noun
  • But all of that absolves Luzardo from a basic failure.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Critics of the strikes jumped at the opportunity to call the operation a failure, but the DIA’s product should ...
    — NR Editors, National Review, 24 July 2025
Definition of failure
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Golden ran a double move and beat both cornerback Nate Hobbs and safety Evan Williams for a 60-yard touchdown from quarterback Jordan Love.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • Denim might not be the go-to fabric for beating the summer heat, but that doesn’t stop enthusiasts from finding stylish ways to keep their indigo game strong all season long.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 July 2025
Definition of beat
Noun
  • Donald Trump suffered a legal setback Thursday after a federal judge ruled against his administration's efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for tens of thousands of migrants.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Beneath the surface, both are grappling with personal wounds, career setbacks and lingering tensions between them.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 31 July 2025
Definition of setback

Browse Nearby Words

defeasances
defeat
defeated
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Cite this Entry

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

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