as in overcoming
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
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Recent Examples of defeating
For the Chinese Communist Party, which stakes its claim to legitimacy on defeating Japanese invaders during World War II, that would be an unforgivable outrage.
—
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The Big Game Seattle Seahawks' players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Team Sweden will fight for their chance at a gold medal after defeating Great Britain 9-3 in today's mixed doubles curling semifinal.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
The Sixers are 3-1 on the road trip after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-103 Saturday night.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks have won Super Bowl LX, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday.
—Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2026
In 2022, Horvath won her supervisorial seat, defeating former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, a political veteran.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks were NFC Champions after defeating the Rams, and Stafford and his teammates went back to Los Angeles late on what was likely a somber flight.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Lazy Susans for the Fridge Wrangling your refrigerator's contents can be frustrating at best and defeating at worst.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026
Andy Browne, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The Big Game Seattle Seahawks' players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Team Sweden will fight for their chance at a gold medal after defeating Great Britain 9-3 in today's mixed doubles curling semifinal.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026
The Sixers are 3-1 on the road trip after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-103 Saturday night.
—Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks have won Super Bowl LX, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday.
—Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2026
In 2022, Horvath won her supervisorial seat, defeating former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg, a political veteran.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
The Seattle Seahawks were NFC Champions after defeating the Rams, and Stafford and his teammates went back to Los Angeles late on what was likely a somber flight.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Lazy Susans for the Fridge Wrangling your refrigerator's contents can be frustrating at best and defeating at worst.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeating
Verb
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Jones said her journey to reach this point has been defined by overcoming adversity and a devotion to family.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Medical experts and public health leaders say overcoming hesitancy is key in preventing further spread in and around Charlotte, and preventing the rise of other infectious diseases.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Despite the long history of elite WTA players mastering the art of the moonball, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber chief among them, sending tennis balls into the atmosphere still draws out the sport’s eternal, often cursed relationship between style and ethics.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The percentage of third-graders mastering grade level performance in reading increased from 18% in 2024 to 21% in 2025, according to officials.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Patriots finished 14-3 but defeated only one team with a winning record in the regular season, beating up on the likes of the Jets (twice), Giants, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals en route to an AFC East title.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Most Americans don’t want our nation to be an imperial aggressor threatening, conquering and plundering weaker nations.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
2 Feb. 2026
-
And with his lengthy playing career under the all-conquering Sir Alex Ferguson, Carrick can lay claim to such heritage.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At UChicago Medicine, doctors use an AI called Ambient, a note-taking tool that records patient visits and then writes detailed notes for the doctors.—
Audrina Sinclair,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Behind forceful nights from Nic Claxton, who scored a career-high 28 points, and Noah Clowney, who added 22, and with three rookies taking full advantage of their minutes, the Nets found just enough offense to beat the Chicago Bulls 123-115 at Barclays Center.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson called Garland one of his favorite players and seemed to take comfort in handing him off to Lue, who is known for getting the most out of his players.—
Janis Carr,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Otherwise, past travelers note that Anse Source d’Argent can get busy, and your fellow tourists may prevent you from getting that picture-perfect moment.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Ukrzaliznytsia is responding to the intensity and growing accuracy of Russian attacks by trying to protect critical points on the system and by dispatching rapid recovery teams.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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In the playoffs, with QB Drake Maye struggling, the Patriots leaned on their defense, dispatching the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Texans in the first two rounds.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the heavily Latino area of south Oklahoma City, ICE agents have been patrolling in unmarked vehicles and stopping work trucks of roofers, painters and electricians, Brooks Jimenez said.—
Nuria Martinez-Keel,
Oklahoma Voice,
10 Feb. 2026
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Lily did exactly the right thing by stopping and asking first.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defeating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeating. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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