defeat

Pronunciation: /dɪˈfiːt/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
  2. noun the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals
  3. verb win a victory over

Etymology

From Middle English defeten, from Middle English defet (“disfigured”, past participle) and defet (“defect”, noun), see Etymology 2 below.

In classic literature

Synonyms

licking

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
failure, ending
Narrower (hyponyms)
thrashing, rout, lurch, whitewash, heartbreaker, shutout
Opposite (antonyms)
victory

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