Defeat Meaning
/dɪˈfiːt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo overcome in battle or contest.
verbTo reduce, to nothing, the strength of.
Sentence Examples
The Giants were well on the way to defeat.
The lawsuit is likely to end in our defeat.
The party faces defeat in the election.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The team's ____ in the championship left them devastated and silent.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The Giants were well on the way to ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English defeten, from Middle English defet (“disfigured”, past participle) and defet (“defect”, noun), see Etymology 2 below.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Japanese defeated the Ming general Tsu Chʻeng-hsün 祖承訓 at Pʻing jang 平壤 in 1592, the first year of Bunroku 文祿 of Japan, and the fighting continued for some years; but at Hideyoshi's death the Japanese troops left Korea."
— 1917, Samuel Couling, “Japanese Relations with China”, in The Encyclopaedia Sinica, Literature House, Ltd., published 1964, →OCLC, page 255, column 2:
"My personal success or failure is insignificant; the rise or fall of the nation is my responsibility and must not be shirked. Upon introspection, I feel I am firmer than ever in confidence that the Communists will be defeated. These are feelings which will comfort Father's soul in Heaven."
— 1980 August 1 [1980 May 1], Ching-kuo Chiang, “President Chiang Ching-kuo continues his period of mourning and finds that visits to countryside and people give him renewed strength”, in Taiwan Today, archived from the original on 17 May 2020:
"The 36-year-old defeats US Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a fiery 44-year-old Democrat from the Dallas area, in a contentious primary that became increasingly personal."
— 2026 March 4, Arlette Saenz, “James Talarico defeats Jasmine Crockett to win Democratic primary in Texas Senate race”, in CNN, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2026:
"He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes."
— 1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], London: […] B. Aylmer, […]; [a]nd W. Rogers, […], published 1696, →OCLC:
"In one instance he defeated his own purpose."
— 1879, Adolphus Ward, “Chaucer”, in English Men of Letters:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The team's ____ in the championship left them devastated and silent.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The Giants were well on the way to ____.