What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loss
Example
The company suffered a huge loss in revenue this quarter. [loss: noun]
Example
I felt a great sense of loss when my grandfather passed away. [loss: noun]
Example
She lost the game by a single point. [lost: verb]
defeat
Example
The army suffered a crushing defeat in the battle. [defeat: noun]
Example
He was defeated in the election by a large margin. [defeated: verb]
Example
She felt defeated after failing the exam for the third time. [defeated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loss is more commonly used than defeat in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of situations. However, defeat is more common in the context of sports or competitions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loss and defeat?
Both loss and defeat are neutral in terms of formality, and they can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
