Showing results for admit defeat. Search instead for admit+defeat.

admit defeat

VERB

yield

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bow buy capitulate give up give way leave succumb

STRONG

abandon abdicate bend break cede collapse crumple defer fold go knuckle relax relent relinquish resign sag submit

WEAK

back down call it quits cave in come to terms fold up give oneself over hand over knuckle under lay down arms let go part with suffer defeat throw in the towel

Antonyms

STRONGEST

defend fight

STRONG

agree assert build hide hold increase keep retain rise stay straighten

WEAK

counter deny disallow disapprove oppose prevent refuse reject veto withhold

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It might be better to admit defeat for now, close the park, and do something else with that $300,000.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Yes, her job is here, and no, she can’t work from home, but to her, leaving the city—even briefly, for some fresh air—is to admit defeat.

From Slate • Jan. 16, 2025

She pitied his inability to move past his grievances and admit defeat.

From Salon • Jan. 5, 2025

Some of the England players emerged to play football, but eventually even they had to admit defeat and returned to the dressing room soaked to the skin.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2023

I thought about telling him how close I had been to capturing that trout, but I hated to admit defeat.

From "Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson

admit defeat

Example Sentences

Related Words