Is There a Word Defeat?

As a noun, a defeat is a loss (as in That was the team's first defeat of the season) and defeat is the state of having lost (as in the agony of defeat). In most cases, the verb beat is a close synonym for defeat, but defeat is more formal (you can beat or defeat someone in a game, but a nation defeats another in war).

How do you use the word defeat as a noun?

defeat
  1. [uncountable, countable] failure to win or to be successful. The party faces defeat in the election. They suffered a narrow defeat in the final. ...
  2. [countable, usually singular] the act of winning a victory over somebody/something. The army inflicted a heavy defeat on rebel forces. the defeat of fascism.

How do you use defeat?

Defeat sentence example
  1. Taran can defeat him. ...
  2. He shook his head in defeat and opened the door for her, bowing deeply. ...
  3. The only human who can help us defeat evil, and you chose him. ...
  4. Not enough to defeat my father and his allies. ...
  5. He threw up his hands in defeat and disappeared upstairs.
Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.