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English noun: defeat

1. defeat (event) an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest


SamplesIt was a narrow defeat.
The army's only defeat.
They suffered a convincing licking.


Synonymslicking


Broader (hypernym)conclusion, ending, failure, finish


Narrower (hyponym)debacle, drubbing, heartbreaker, lurch, rout, shutout, skunk, slaughter, thrashing, trouncing, walloping, waterloo, whipping, whitewash


Antonymstriumph, victory

2. defeat (feeling) the feeling that accompanies an experience of being thwarted in attaining your goals


Synonymsfrustration


Broader (hypernym)disappointment, letdown


English verb: defeat

1. defeat (competition) win a victory over


SamplesYou 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.


ExamplesThe fighter managed to defeat his opponent


Synonymsget the better of, overcome


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Narrower (hyponym)beat, beat out, come through, conquer, crush, demolish, destroy, down, expel, lurch, make it, nose, overrun, pull round, pull through, rout, rout out, shell, skunk, survive, trounce, upset, vanquish, wallop

2. defeat (social) thwart the passage of


SamplesKill a motion.
He shot down the student's proposal.


Synonymskill, shoot down, vote down, vote out


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)blackball, negative, veto









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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