defeat

/dɪˈfiːt/

to win against someone in a competition or battle

The underdog team managed to defeat the reigning champions.

The weaker team surprisingly won against the strongest team.

general

To win against someone in a competition, battle, or contest.

She defeated her opponent in the chess tournament.

She won against her opponent in the chess competition.

The army was defeated in the final battle.

The army lost the final battle.

Can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as defeating a problem or challenge.

figurative

To overcome or conquer something difficult or challenging.

He finally defeated his fear of public speaking.

He overcame his fear of speaking in front of people.

Often used metaphorically to describe overcoming obstacles or personal struggles.

Collocations

defeat someoneto win against someonedefeat a challengeto overcome a difficultydefeat the oddsto succeed despite unlikely chances

to make something useless or ineffective

the belief that something cannot be achieved

Use 'defeat' when referring to winning in a competition or overcoming a challenge.

'Defeat' is typically transitive (requires an object), but it can also be used intransitively (e.g., 'The team defeated').

From Middle English 'defeaten,' from Old French 'desfaitre,' from Latin 'dis-' (apart) + 'facere' (to do).

Can be used as both a transitive verb (requires an object) and an intransitive verb (does not require an object, e.g., 'The team defeated').

de-

apart

prefix

-feat

to do or make

root

English Dictionary