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

as in to overcome

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

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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

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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

Example 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

Arévalo defeated Torres by a wide margin, receiving about 58 percent of the vote compared with about 37 percent for Torres. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 Fritz advanced to the final in 2024, but was defeated by Jannik Sinner (who just withdrew from the 2026 US Open with a knee injury) at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center. — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

In 2025 things got more serious for Jair Bolsonaro when he was convicted and sentenced to about 27 years in prison for his role in planning a coup to remain in power after his election defeat. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 In August 1776, Washington suffered a defeat that almost resulted in his capture. — Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defeat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defeat

Verb

The Tar Heels’ ability to overcome some sloppiness — and, yes, take advantage of a slew of TCU mistakes — was a positive intangible sign after Belichick’s brutal debut season and offseason.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
But to overcome 30 years of Republican dominance, Talarico needs votes from everywhere.

— Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of overcome

Noun

Mayer’s three professional defeats have now all come in England, following split-decision losses to Alycia Baumgardner in London in 2022 and Natasha Jonas in Liverpool in 2024.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
After missing the playoffs in 2025, Martin started off on a great note, handing a solid Mansfield program a 38-35 loss.

— Charles Baggarly August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of loss

Noun

Escaping an energy collapse Things didn’t collapse as analysts feared at the beginning of the conflict.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
The letter provides the most complete window into Kapoor’s thinking since the collapse of his company, Location Ventures, three years ago.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Rookies ultimately have to master such challenges as flight dynamics, parachute malfunctions, and landing in dangerous conditions.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
To be sure, successful leaders manage to master this self-presentational skill with the talent of great method-actors.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of master

Noun

The failures resulted in a divorce during the offseason and this exhibition game at Hard Rock Stadium was the first time the couple happened to be at the same place at the same time since the split.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
For five months, these players have underperformed, much to the chagrin of their front offices and the fans, who repeatedly boo their failures.

— Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of failure

Verb

She had been beaten and stabbed inside her home, and her body was then placed in the trunk of her car.

— Brett Barrouquere, Arkansas Online, 30 Aug. 2026
Tysie Gallagher, Terri Harper and Caroline Dubois beat Americans Brandi Robinson, Miranda Reyes and Amelia Moore, respectively, earlier in the night, while Reina Tellez defeated Jessica Barry for the United States’ only victory.

— Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of beat

Noun

Sadiq also missed all but three training camp practices after experiencing a setback.

— Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
The reversal is also a setback for Anna Wintour, Condé Nast’s chief content officer and the driving force behind the Met Gala.

— Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of setback

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“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defeat. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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