flee after defeat in war; leave after losing a contest
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to be defeated in battle and flee; to retreat
literaryMost literal and historical usage, commonly used to describe the retreat of an army or military commander after a lost battle.
In the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao's army was heavily defeated and fled to Hebei.
After being besieged for three days, the enemy army finally abandoned the city and fled in defeat.
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That battle was brutal; the commander was wounded and had to lead the remaining troops to flee to another land.
verb
to lose a contest/competition and leave (a place); to be eliminated
neutralMetaphorical extension to modern competitive contexts like sports, elections, or business. Often carries a sense of disappointment.
The home team was crushed in the semi-finals and left dejectedly in defeat.
This company could not match its rivals in the price war and ultimately exited the market in defeat.
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He ran out of arguments in the debate and had to leave the stage defeated.