easy
Our team worked hard to defeat its rivals.
What does Defeat mean?
Defeat means to win against someone, or the loss itself.
Dictionary definition
Defeat means to beat someone in a contest or the loss itself.
Example sentences
Defeat in a sentence
medium
The players accepted defeat with respect.
hard
In the story, defeat taught the characters to improve and try again.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice defeat in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Practice the meaning of Defeat
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does defeat mean?
Defeat means to win against someone, or the loss itself.
Practice 2
Which choice is closest in meaning to defeat?
The choice "beat" is closest in meaning because defeat means to win against someone, or the loss itself.
Practice 3
Which choice is the best antonym or contrast for defeat?
The choice "victory" is a strong contrast because defeat means to win against someone, or the loss itself.
Practice complete
Nice work!
You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
⬡ Earn 5 Honey
Defeat
Voice settings
Sounds like
dih · feet · strongest beat: No marked stress
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordDefeat.
Partnoun, verb.
MeaningDefeat means to win against someone, or the loss itself.
ExampleExample: Our team worked hard to defeat its rivals.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dih · feet
- Strongest beat
- No marked stress
- Ending
- feet
- Tip
- Start slowly, then say the parts together.
Your turn
Say Defeat
Record a short attempt, then compare it with the Coach. Your recording stays on this device and is not uploaded.
Coach
My attempt
Ready when you are.
Nice work—you practiced defeat.
Synonyms
Words like Defeat
Antonyms
Opposite words
victoryA winning result.
winSuccess in a contest.
Synonym practice
Want to practice defeat synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The red team hoped to defeat the blue team," then compare close word choices. Practice defeat synonyms.
Word family
Defeat word family
Base word
defeat
noun
defeat
Base form of defeat.
Related words
Explore related words
Student support
Understand Defeat
Hint for students
Defeat means to win against someone or something. As a noun, it can mean a loss.
Common mix-up
Defeat is not the same as defend. Defeat means beat or overcome; defend means protect.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows defeat without using the word defeat. Model sentence: The red team scored the final point and beat last year’s winners. Clue words: scored, final point, beat, winners Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show winning against someone or overcoming a challenge?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: 'Our team hoped to defeat the champions.' Why does defeat fit better than join?
Learning activities
Practice Defeat and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice DEFEAT” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice DEFEAT
Sentence Builder
Write your own sentence with this word and revise with checklist feedback.
Write a sentence with DEFEAT
Explore · Spelling
Spell Hive
Hear the word, type the spelling, and use spoken clues when needed.
Practice spelling
Explore · Definitions
Define the Word Hive
Choose the meaning that fits and get instant feedback.
Practice definitions
Explore · Matching
Vocabulary Match
Pair words with meanings and review misses with dictionary links.
Match meanings
Explore · Context
Context Clue Challenge
Use sentence clues to choose the word that fits the meaning.
Use context clues
Explore · Scramble
Scrambled Bees
Rebuild words from mixed-up letters for spelling practice.
Rebuild words