defeat
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈfiːt/
KK: /dɪˈfit/
noun
Definition
A loss in a competition or battle, where one side does not win and the other side is successful.
Example
The team faced a tough defeat in the championship game.
Conversation
Did you hear about the game last night?
Yeah, it was tough to watch; the team faced a big defeat.
I really thought they had a chance to win this time.
Same here, but sometimes you just have to learn from a defeat and move on.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
loss
setback
failure
Antonyms
victory
triumph
success
transitive verb
Definition
To win against someone in a competition or conflict, causing them to lose.
Example
The team managed to defeat their rivals in the championship game.
Tense Forms
Past: defeated
Past Participle: defeated
Conversation
Did you hear about the final game last night?
Yeah, it was so intense! I thought they would defeat the other team easily.
I know, right? But they really stepped up their game in the second half.
Root Explanation
Defeat is formed from the prefix "de-" (meaning down or away) and the root "facere" (meaning to do or make). The word originally described the act of bringing someone down or causing them to fail in an endeavor.
Memory Tip
Think of 'bringing down' ('de-') someone's efforts ('facere') — that's why defeat means to cause someone to fail.
Visually Confused Words
defat
undefeat
redefeat
predefeat
feat
deft