Defeatable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defeatable

[dɪ'fiːtəb(ə)l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in a competitive context

Capable of being defeated or overcome.

Synonyms

beatable, conquerable, overcomeable.

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Word Description / Examples
defeatable

Best used when referring to something that can be defeated or overcome, usually in the context of challenges, obstacles, or opponents.

  • The villain in the story is defeatable if the hero finds his weakness.
  • Even the most challenging exams are defeatable with enough preparation.
beatable

Typically used when discussing competitions or conflicts where one side can win against the other, often related to sports or games.

  • The team is very strong this season, but they are beatable.
  • She believes that every record is beatable if you work hard enough.
overcomeable

Applied when referring to difficulties, hardships, or barriers that can be successfully dealt with or surpassed, often in personal growth or recovery scenarios.

  • The challenges she faced were overcomeable with persistence and support.
  • Despite the setbacks, their problems were overcomeable.
conquerable

Used to describe territories, fears, or elements that can be taken over or mastered, usually implying a sense of control and domination.

  • The mountain seemed insurmountable at first, but it is conquerable with the right equipment.
  • He finally realized that his fears were conquerable.

Examples of usage

  • The champion boxer seemed undefeatable, but even he was defeatable.
  • After many attempts, they finally found a strategy that made the previously undefeatable team defeatable.
  • Despite their best efforts, the army was defeatable by the enemy's advanced weaponry.
  • The castle, once considered undefeatable, was proven to be defeatable by the invaders.
  • The superhero was seen as undefeatable, but the villain discovered a weakness that made them defeatable.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sports

  • In competitive sports, teams that are labeled as defeatable often have lower expected performance compared to their opponents.
  • The concept of being defeatable forces teams to focus on unity and strategy to improve their chances of winning against stronger rivals.
  • In some sports, an underdog team is seen as defeatable but can often pull off surprising victories.

Psychology

  • The mindset of believing someone is defeatable can influence performance; if an athlete thinks they can win, they're more likely to succeed.
  • People often assess their challengers' strengths and weaknesses, leading to a belief system about victory or defeat.
  • Defeatable opponents can foster resilience; overcoming them teaches individuals how to compete effectively in higher-stakes scenarios.

Literature

  • In many stories, heroes often face defeatable villains, highlighting the theme of triumph over adversity.
  • Literary critiques often discuss characters as defeatable as a means to build tension through conflict and resolution.
  • Fables frequently depict weaker characters defeating those seen as powerful to illustrate moral lessons.

Video Games

  • In video games, most enemies are programmed to be defeatable, ensuring players have a sense of achievement upon victory.
  • Game mechanics often include giving players hints about how to defeat certain bosses, making them more defeatable by strategy.
  • The defeatability of a character in games often contributes to player engagement, driving them to learn tactics to overcome challenges.

Origin of 'defeatable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the root 'defeat', which has Latin origins in the word 'defectus', meaning to undo or fail.
  • The suffix 'able' indicates capability, so 'defeatable' literally means 'able to be defeated'.
  • This term has been in usage since the late 19th century, reflecting more competitive contexts.

The word 'defeatable' is derived from the verb 'defeat,' which comes from the Latin word 'de' meaning 'down' and 'facere' meaning 'to do.' The concept of being 'defeatable' has been present throughout history in the context of competition and conflict, reflecting the human experience of triumph and defeat.


See also: defeat, defeated, defeating, defeatism, defeatist, defeats, undefeatable.