Word: defeat

Associations

Defeat means to lose in a contest, game, or battle. It can also mean to overcome or to prevent something from being successful.

• Example 1: "Our team faced defeat in the championship match." This means the team lost the match.
• Example 2: "She experienced defeat in her attempts to climb the mountain." Here, it indicates that she was unsuccessful in her goal.
• Example 3: "The new policy aims to defeat the problem of littering." In this case, it means to overcome or solve a problem.

A well-known synonym of defeat is "loss." The main difference is that "defeat" often refers to the act of being beaten in a challenge or competition, while "loss" can refer to any instance of losing something, not limited to contests.

Substitution

Other words that can be used instead of defeat include:

• Conquer: This implies winning over an opponent.
• Overcome: This suggests successfully dealing with a problem.
• Vanquish: This means to defeat or overpower completely.

Using these substitutions may change the tone or emphasis. For example, "conquer" suggests a more bold or heroic victory compared to "defeat."

Deconstruction

• The word "defeat" comes from the Latin word "deficere," which means "to fail."
• The prefix "de-" implies removal or reversal, while the root "fate" is related to facing or encountering something. So, "defeat" can be seen as reversing one's fate or expected success.

Historically, the word has been used in various contexts, from military battles to sports, shaping its modern meaning.

Inquiry

Think about the word defeat:

• Can you recall a time when you faced defeat in sports or a competition? How did it feel?
• In what situations have you helped someone else deal with their defeat?
• How does it feel to overcome a defeat? Can that feeling be more important than winning?