VocabDictionary

defeated

/dɪˈfiːtɪd/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adjective

Feeling or appearing to be beaten, discouraged, or lacking the will to continue after a failure or loss.

Example Sentences:
  • He wore a defeated expression after his business proposal was rejected for the third time.
  • The team looked completely defeated as they walked off the field in the final minutes.
2.verb

Past tense and past participle of defeat; to have won a victory over someone in a battle, contest, or game.

Example Sentences:
  • The underdog candidate defeated the incumbent in a surprising landslide victory.
  • Our army defeated the invading forces at the border.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “defeated” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “defeated”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Middle English 'defeten', which comes from the Old French 'desfait', the past participle of 'desfaire' (to undo). This traces back to the Vulgar Latin 'disfacere', composed of 'dis-' (apart) and 'facere' (to do or make). Essentially, to be defeated is to have one's efforts or position 'undone'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of 'de-feat-ed': You have been stripped of your 'feet' (foundation/standing), leaving you unable to move forward in the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions About “defeated

1. What is the meaning of “defeated” in English?

In English, defeated (adjective) is defined as: “Feeling or appearing to be beaten, discouraged, or lacking the will to continue after a failure or loss.”.

2. How do you use “defeated” in a sentence?

He wore a defeated expression after his business proposal was rejected for the third time.

3. What are English synonyms of “defeated”?

Common synonyms include:vanquished,beaten,conquered,overcome,thwarted

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “defeated”?

Derived from the Middle English 'defeten', which comes from the Old French 'desfait', the past participle of 'desfaire' (to undo). This traces back to the Vulgar Latin 'disfacere', composed of 'dis-' (apart) and 'facere' (to do or make). Essentially, to be defeated is to have one's efforts or position 'undone'.