defeat
defeat Lexical Profile
defeat Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An instance of losing or being overcome in a competition, election, contest, or struggle.
"The visiting soccer team suffered a narrow defeat in the championship final."
The failure to achieve a goal, plan, or legislative proposal, or the act of preventing something from succeeding.
"The sudden withdrawal of funding resulted in the defeat of the urban renewal bill."
• verb
To win a victory over someone in a competition, election, game, or contest.
"The defending champion managed to defeat her challenger in straight sets."
To prevent a plan, effort, or legislative proposal from succeeding or being adopted.
"Leaving the window open will defeat the purpose of turning on the air conditioning."
To be impossible for someone to understand, solve, or accomplish.
"The intricate logic of the final math puzzle completely defeated the students."
• Rhymes for defeat
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'desfait', the past participle of 'desfaire' ('to undo, destroy'), ultimately from Medieval Latin 'disfacere' ('to undo'), combining 'dis-' ('undo') and 'facere' ('to make, do').