The phrase "was defeated" may seem common, but there are plenty of alternative words and phrases that can be used in its place. For instance, you could say that someone "lost," "surrendered," or "yielded" instead of saying they were defeated. Other options include "overpowered," "vanquished," and "conquered." If you're looking to add a bit more color to your language, you could also use phrases like "fell short," "came up short," or "failed to win." Ultimately, the key is to choose words and phrases that accurately convey the meaning and tone that you're going for.