derrotar
verbCEFR B2
What does “derrotar” mean in English?
to defeat, to beat
to defeat, to beat (in competition, war, politics — derrotar al rival / al enemigo)
Example sentences
El equipo local derrotó a su rival en la prórroga con un gol que desató la euforia en las gradas.
The home team defeated its rival in extra time with a goal that unleashed euphoria in the stands.
La candidata derrotó al incumbente con una ventaja de casi ocho puntos porcentuales.
The candidate defeated the incumbent by nearly eight percentage points.
Tras años de lucha, el país logró derrotar la epidemia con una campaña de vacunación masiva.
After years of struggle, the country managed to defeat the epidemic with a mass vaccination campaign.
How to use it
Derrotar means 'to defeat' — overcoming an opponent in competition, war, politics, or debate. Takes personal a with human or institutional objects: derrotar al rival. It is interchangeable with vencer at this level, but derrotar is slightly more specific to definitive defeat, while vencer can also mean 'to overcome' an abstract challenge.
Common mistake
Personal a is required when derrotar takes a human or institutional object: derrotar al equipo contrario (not *derrotar el equipo). For abstract objects (una enfermedad, la pobreza), no personal a: derrotar la epidemia. Don't confuse with destruir (destroy physically) — derrotar implies competitive/adversarial defeat.