DEFEAT Synonyms: 140 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'defeat' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defeat are conquer , overcome , overthrow , reduce , subdue , and vanquish . While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. // the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

Q: When is 'conquer' a more appropriate choice than 'defeat'?

In some situations, the words conquer and defeat are roughly equivalent. However, conquer implies gaining mastery of. // Caesar conquered Gaul

Q: When could 'overcome' be used to replace 'defeat'?

While in some cases nearly identical to defeat , overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. // overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

Q: When might 'overthrow' be a better fit than 'defeat'?

While the synonyms overthrow and defeat are close in meaning, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. // violently overthrew the old regime

Q: When can 'reduce' be used instead of 'defeat'?

The meanings of reduce and defeat largely overlap; however, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. // the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Q: Where would 'subdue' be a reasonable alternative to 'defeat'?

The words subdue and defeat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, subdue implies a defeating and suppression. // subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

Q: When would 'vanquish' be a good substitute for 'defeat'?

The synonyms vanquish and defeat are sometimes interchangeable, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering. // vanquished the enemy and ended the war

defeat 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈfēt

Definition of defeat next

as in to overcome

to achieve a victory over they defeated their archrivals easily and moved into the next round of the play-offs

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

defeat

2 of 2

noun

as in loss

failure to win a contest sore losers still griping about their defeat in the basketball game earlier that week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in collapse

a falling short of one's goals truly disheartened by the defeat of his plans to revitalize downtown

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb defeat differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of defeat are conquer, overcome, overthrow, reduce, subdue, and vanquish. While all these words mean "to get the better of by force or strategy," defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals.

the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas

When is conquer a more appropriate choice than defeat?

In some situations, the words conquer and defeat are roughly equivalent. However, conquer implies gaining mastery of.

Caesar conquered Gaul

When could overcome be used to replace defeat?

While in some cases nearly identical to defeat, overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle.

overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks

When might overthrow be a better fit than defeat?

While the synonyms overthrow and defeat are close in meaning, overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power.

violently overthrew the old regime

When can reduce be used instead of defeat?

The meanings of reduce and defeat largely overlap; however, reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender.

the city was reduced after a month-long siege

Where would subdue be a reasonable alternative to defeat?

The words subdue and defeat are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, subdue implies a defeating and suppression.

subdued the native tribes after years of fighting

When would vanquish be a good substitute for defeat?

The synonyms vanquish and defeat are sometimes interchangeable, but vanquish implies a complete overpowering.

vanquished the enemy and ended the war

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defeat

Verb

Connolly, 74, defeated Ocasio-Cortez, 35, by a 131-84 margin, according to Politico's Daniella Diaz. —

Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 The surest way into a better playoff seeding for the Chargers would be to defeat the Broncos, the Patriots and the Raiders. —

Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

Her defeat, Donald Trump’s triumph in each and every battleground state and — especially — his winning the popular vote were more than a slap in the face of Black women, long among the most loyal and dedicated of Democrats. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 Syria's Assad blames 'terrorism' for regime collapse in first statement since defeat The Qutayfah burial site is in an area that was under military control, with the road in closed to civilian traffic. —

David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for defeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat

Verb

Lawmakers overcame the 60-vote threshold to bypass a filibuster in a 73-27 vote.

Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Yet, deeper reading reveals an honest assessment of the challenges still to be overcome in making change a reality.

Lauren Coulman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024