defeats

NOUN

overthrow, beating

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beating blow breakdown collapse debacle destruction drubbing embarrassment failure killing loss massacre rout setback thrashing triumph

STRONG

KO ambush annihilation break check conquest count discomfiture extermination fall lacing licking mastery paddling rebuff repulse reverse ruin scalping shellacking slaughter subjugation trap trashing trimming trouncing waxing whaling whipping whitewashing

WEAK

defeasance downthrow insuccess nonsuccess vanquishment

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accomplishment achievement boon success win

STRONG

surrender yielding

WEAK

attainment victory

NOUN

frustration

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disappointment downfall failure loss reversal setback

STRONG

discomfiture foil rebuff repulse reverse thwarting

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accomplishment achievement boost success win

WEAK

attainment conquest mastery triumph victory

VERB

conquer in military manner

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beat crush finish off overpower overthrow overwhelm rout upset vanquish whip

STRONG

ambush annihilate bar best block butcher decimate demolish discomfit drown entrap halt hinder impede lick obliterate obstruct outflank outmaneuver overrun parry quell reduce repel repress repulse route sack scatter shipwreck sink slaughter smash subdue subjugate suppress surmount swamp torpedo trample trash

WEAK

bear down mow down prevail over roll back wipe out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail lose surrender yield

STRONG

advance aid allow assist attract build clear construct create encourage facilitate fix float forward free grow help increase let go liberate open permit promote push release save strengthen support win

WEAK

abet give up inspirit

VERB

conquer in athletic contest

Synonyms

STRONGEST

beat clobber drub edge knock out outplay overpower take thrash trounce win

STRONG

KO bust cream deck drop flax flog floor lambaste lick outrun pommel pound powder pulverize skin steamroll tan total wallop whack whomp zap

WEAK

outhit outjump plow under run roughshod over take it all take to cleaners work over

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail forfeit lose surrender

WEAK

abet aid encourage give up help inspirit

VERB

frustrate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

blank outwit thwart

STRONG

baffle balk block bury checkmate circumvent confound contravene cook counterplot cross disappoint discomfit disconcert disprove foil invalidate neutralize nonplus nullify overturn puzzle quell reduce refute ruin scuttle shave shellac skunk spoil squash stump subdue subjugate surmount undo victimize

WEAK

beat down beat the system cast down cause setback edge out nose out put end to take wind out of sails throw for loop

Antonyms

STRONG

abet aid allow approve assist clarify clear up endorse enlighten explain grow help open permit prove support surrender validate win yield

WEAK

encourage give up inspirit lose

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Defeats in war tend to demystify governments that rule by fear.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Defeats by Scotland, Ireland and Italy are new low points to be plotted on the graph.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

Defeats at Galatasaray and Chelsea followed before United emerged from their own crisis to plunder a 2-1 win at Anfield.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Defeats by Australia and New Zealand over the first three games put pressure on Erasmus - but subsequent results made clear the "risk" to develop talent was worth it.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2025

The headline of the sports section was “Lake Windsor Defeats Tangerine.”

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor