Defeat

Quick meaning: Defeat is a verb meaning (transitive) To overcome in battle or contest.

Meaning

(transitive) To overcome in battle or contest.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To reduce, to nothing, the strength of.
2. (transitive) To nullify
3. To prevent (something) from being achieved.
4. The act or instance of being defeated, of being overcome or vanquished; a loss.
5. The act or instance of defeating, of overcoming, vanquishing.
6. Frustration (by prevention of success), stymieing; (law) nullification.
7. (obsolete) Destruction, ruin.

Example Sentences

Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

In one instance he defeated his own purpose.

The escheators […] defeated the right heir of his succession.

He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes.

Word Forms

• defeats
• defeating
• defeated
• defeatest
• defeatedst
• defeateth

Synonyms for defeat

Depending on context, synonyms include vanquish, overcome, beat, convince, flog, humble.

Antonyms for defeat

Common opposites include capitulate, forfeit, give up, lose, surrender, relinquish.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include overcome, kill, frustration, licking, vanquish, topple.

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