defeat

If you do this to an opponent, you win against them in a game, fight, or competition.

• Our team defeated theirs.
• Can she defeat the champion?
• The army was defeated after a long battle.

Similar words: beat, overcome, vanquish

Opposites: lose to

Common phrases: defeat someone, defeat an army

A result in which someone loses a game, fight, or competition.

• The team suffered a defeat.
• She refused to admit defeat.
• Three defeats in a row cost him his job.

Similar words: loss

Opposites: victory

Common phrases: suffer defeat, admit defeat, heavy defeat

The act of winning against a particular opponent in a fight or competition.

• Their defeat of the enemy ended the war.
• We celebrated our defeat of the league leaders.
• Her defeat of the champion made the news.

How to use it: defeat of someone/something (Their defeat of the champions surprised everyone.)

Similar words: beating, overcoming

Common phrases: defeat of someone, defeat of enemies