verb

defeat

to beat, to overcome, to thwart

Our team will defeat the champions.

Our team will defeat the champions.

The new law defeated the purpose of the reform.

The new law defeated the purpose of the reform.

((sb./sth.)) to beat (sb./sth.) in a contest. Our team will defeat the champions.

Synonyms: beat, conquer, vanquish; Antonyms: lose to, surrender to

From Old French 'desfaire' (to undo), from 'des-' (un-) + 'faire' (to do). The idea is to 'undo' an opponent.

Think of 'de-feet' – to knock an opponent off their feet.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.