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

How To Use defeat In A Sentence

  • For centuries, scholars have squabbled over the design of the ship, which was crucial to defeating the Persians in the Battle of Salamis in 480 B.C., part of a wider war that included the fight at Thermopylae dramatized in the film "300. Epic Struggle: Fans Fight to Revive an Oar-Powered Greek Warship
  • according to the Old Testament, Elijah defeated the priests of Baal at Mount Carmel
  • No one can degrade us except ourselves; that if we are worthy, no influence can defeat us. 
  • All was coloured with admiration of his beauty and grace, and mingled with boundless pity for their sad overclouding and defeature! Thomas Wingfold, Curate
  • Leave it to the Democrats to once again snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. Rendell: 'Very unlikely' Clinton will win
  • Amidst all that humbles and scathes; amidst all that shatters from their life its verdure, smites to the dust the pomp and summit of their pride, and in the very heart of existence writeth a sudden and "strange defeature," -- they stand erect, -- riven, not uprooted, -- a monument less of pity than of awe! The Disowned — Complete
  • Ministers are attempting to come up with a compromise to avoid defeat on Wednesday. Times, Sunday Times
  • After several attempts to untie the knot, I admitted defeat and cut through it with a knife.
  • He did not want a repeat performance of the humiliating defeat he had suffered.
  • Their last nine league games have brought four wins, four defeats and a draw. The Sun
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