Defeat Definition & Meaning

defeat
noun
  1. an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest; "it was a narrow defeat"; "the army's only defeat"; "they suffered a convincing licking"
  2. the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals
verb
  1. win a victory over; "You must overcome all difficulties"; "defeat your enemies"; "He overcame his shyness"; "He overcame his infirmity"; "Her anger got the better of her and she blew up"
  2. thwart the passage of; "kill a motion"; "he shot down the student's proposal"

Synonyms for defeat

frustration noun

the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals an act of hindering someone's

♫ Rhymes
kill noun

the act of terminating a life the destruction of an enemy plane or ship or tank or missile

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
licking noun

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest; "it was a narrow defeat"; "the army's only defeat

♫ Rhymes
overcome verb

win a victory over; "You must overcome all difficulties"; "defeat your enemies"; "He overcame his shyness

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Defeat" in song lyrics

See how defeat is used in real songs:

  • "Knowin' either side ever admits defeat"
    7L & Esoteric f/ Count Bass D, J-Live — Rules of Engagament
  • "I like bones chilled when I feet, I film your defeat"
    7L & Esoteric — Boxcutter Rap
  • "Yeah, face defeat"
    7L & Esoteric — Face Defeat

Words that rhyme with defeat

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Usage tips for "defeat"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "defeat" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for defeat to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with defeat 🔬 Words containing defeat

Frequently asked questions

What does defeat mean?
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest; "it was a narrow defeat"; "the army's only defeat"; "they suffered a convincing licking" the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals win a victory over; "You must overcome all difficulties"; "defeat your enemies"; "He overcame his shyness"; "He overcame his infirmity"; "Her anger got the better of her and she blew up" thwart the passage of; "kill a motion"; "he shot down the student's proposal"
What part of speech is defeat?
Defeat is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does defeat have?
Defeat has 4 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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