adjective
Common
defeated
dih-FEE-tuhd
Defeated (adjective) means Beaten or overcome; also, feeling hopeless or resigned after a loss. Example: “The defeated team trudged off the pitch without looking at the crowd.”
adjective
1
Beaten or overcome; also, feeling hopeless or resigned after a loss.
"The defeated team trudged off the pitch without looking at the crowd."
"He sounded defeated after the third rejection letter."
"The defeated army retreated across the river."
How to use defeated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something or someone that has lost, or a person who feels like giving up.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more defeated
- Superlative
- most defeated
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Can you complete this real example?
The _____ team trudged off the pitch without looking at the crowd.
Etymology
Formed from defeat and -ed.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for defeated
See all rhymes for defeated →Frequently asked questions
What does “defeated” mean?
The word “defeated” means beaten or overcome; also, feeling hopeless or resigned after a loss. In plain terms, describes something or someone that has lost, or a person who feels like giving up.
How do you pronounce “defeated”?
“Defeated” is pronounced dih-FEE-tuhd (/dɪˈfiːtəd/ in IPA).
How do you use “defeated” in a sentence?
Here is “defeated” used in a sentence: “He sounded defeated after the third rejection letter.”
What is the opposite of “defeated”?
The opposite of “defeated” — its antonyms — are unbeaten, unbested, unconquered, undefeated and conquering.
What part of speech is “defeated”?
“Defeated” is an adjective.
Is “defeated” a common word?
“Defeated” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "defeated" and "defeatist"?
"Defeated" describes someone who has been beaten or overcome, or who feels hopeless after a loss. "Defeatist" describes an attitude that expects failure before it happens, so a person can be defeatist without ever having actually lost.
When should you use "defeated" instead of "beaten"?
Both mean overcome in a contest, but "defeated" can also capture the emotional aftermath of feeling resigned or hopeless. "He looked defeated" points to a mood of despair, while "he was beaten" simply reports the loss.
Can "defeated" describe a feeling rather than a loss?
Yes. Beyond meaning beaten in a contest, "defeated" can describe an inner state of feeling hopeless or resigned. Someone may feel defeated by ongoing problems even when no formal contest or opponent is involved.
What are common collocations with "defeated"?
"Defeated" often pairs with adverbs like utterly, soundly, narrowly, and comprehensively, as in "narrowly defeated." It also appears in phrases such as "feel defeated" when describing a sense of hopelessness.
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