DEFEATED

Definition of DEFEATED

DEFEATED Verb and Adjective

Defeated is both the past tense and past participle form of the verb defeat and can also function as an adjective. As a verb, it refers to the act of overcoming or conquering someone or something, typically in a contest, battle, or competition, and bringing about their loss or failure. As an adjective, defeated describes a state of having been overcome or unsuccessful, often implying a sense of loss, failure, or resignation.

DEFEATED as a verb

As a verb, defeated refers to the action of causing someone or something to lose, typically in a competitive context. For example, “The team was defeated in the championship game,” or “The army was defeated after a long battle.” In this sense, defeated describes the successful act of prevailing over an opponent or adversary. It suggests the completion of a contest or struggle in which one side emerges victorious, leaving the other side in a state of loss or failure.

Achieving a Victory: The act of defeating someone often involves strategic planning, skill, or effort that results in the downfall of the opponent. For instance, “The candidate defeated his opponent in the election,” or “The forces defeated the invading army.” Defeated can also be used metaphorically, as in overcoming an obstacle or challenge, not necessarily in a physical contest, but in terms of achieving success over a difficult situation.

DEFEATED as an adjective

As an adjective, defeated describes someone or something that has experienced failure or loss. It conveys a sense of being overcome or brought to a state of defeat, often with emotional or psychological connotations. For example, “The defeated team left the field in disappointment,” or “He felt utterly defeated after hearing the bad news.” In this context, defeated reflects a state of being beaten, not just in the literal sense, but also in terms of morale, confidence, or hope.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: In its adjectival form, defeated can also express a psychological state of having been worn down, discouraged, or demoralized. For example, “She felt defeated after multiple failed attempts,” or “His defeated expression revealed the toll the experience had taken on him.” It can imply that the individual has been affected emotionally by the loss, often resulting in a sense of resignation or giving up.

Physical and Mental Exhaustion: Being defeated can also describe a state of exhaustion or fatigue, either physically or mentally, often after a prolonged struggle or effort. For example, “The soldiers were defeated after the long campaign,” or “The marathon runners looked defeated as they crossed the finish line.” In these contexts, defeated conveys not just loss, but also the toll that it takes on the body or mind.

Defeated in Conflict or Competition: The word defeated is often used in the context of conflict or competition, whether it is in a war, sport, or any kind of rivalry. For instance, “The king’s forces were defeated in the final battle,” or “The underdog team was defeated despite a valiant effort.” It reflects a final outcome in which one side is overcome by the other, often resulting in a shift in power or status.

Legal or Professional Context of Defeat: In legal or professional settings, being defeated can refer to the failure to achieve a desired outcome, such as losing a case or failing to reach a goal. For example, “The defendant was defeated in court,” or “The project was defeated due to lack of funding.” In these contexts, defeated signifies failure to achieve a particular objective or overcome a challenge.

In conclusion, defeated can refer both to the act of overcoming or conquering someone or something (verb) and to the state of being overcome or unsuccessful (adjective). Whether used as a verb to describe winning in a contest or battle, or as an adjective to describe a state of loss, failure, or emotional exhaustion, defeated signifies an end result of failure, typically following an effort or struggle. Whether in competition, war, or personal challenges, defeated reflects a situation where the outcome is not in favor of the individual or group, often leaving them in a state of emotional, physical, or psychological loss.

Examples of DEFEATED in a sentence

DEFEATED as a verb in a sentence

• The army defeated its enemies after a long and bloody war.
• Our team defeated three rivals to reach the semifinals.
• She defeated her opponent with strategy and confidence.
• The player defeated the computer in a game of chess.
• He defeated his fears and stood up to speak in public.
• We defeated the virus by implementing strict health measures.
• The rebels defeated the government forces in a surprise attack.

DEFEATED as an adjective in a sentence

• She sat alone in the hallway, looking defeated and exhausted.
• After the trial, he walked out of the courtroom with a defeated expression.
• His defeated tone revealed he had given up hope.
• The players looked defeated after the unexpected loss.
• He gave a defeated sigh and turned away in silence.
• Her shoulders drooped in a defeated posture.
• There was a defeated look in his eyes after hearing the news.
• The manager sounded defeated during the press conference.

Origin of DEFEATED

Defeated is primarily the past participle and adjective form of the verb defeat, meaning having been overcome, beaten, or vanquished in a contest, battle, or conflict.

Semantic Context: As an adjective, defeated describes someone or something that has lost or been overcome by an opponent, obstacle, or circumstance (e.g., “the defeated team,” “a defeated expression”). It conveys a sense of loss, failure, or surrender.

• Etymological Roots: The word defeat comes from Old French defait, past participle of defaire (“to undo, undo the work of”), from Latin disfacere (“to undo”), combining dis- (“apart, away”) and facere (“to do, make”). Defeated is formed by adding the past participle suffix -ed.
• Historical Development: The term defeat has been used since the Middle Ages in military and competitive contexts to indicate overcoming an adversary. The adjectival form defeated has long described the state resulting from such loss.
• Cultural and Social Applications: Defeated appears in literature, sports, politics, and everyday language to express the outcome of contests and struggles. It also metaphorically describes feelings of discouragement or resignation.
• Current Usage: Today, defeated is commonly used to describe people, teams, ideas, or efforts that have failed or been overcome, both literally and figuratively.

The term defeated encapsulates the condition of having been overcome or lost, highlighting themes of struggle, failure, and resilience across various contexts.