defeats soundly crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're grappling with the clue "defeats soundly," you've come to the right place. We've compiled all possible answers, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "defeats soundly crossword clue" by Letter Count
5 Letters
BEATS: To overcome an opponent comprehensively.
ROUTS: Defeats completely and disorderly, often causing a chaotic retreat.
WHUPS: A colloquial or informal term meaning to defeat thoroughly or administer a sound beating.
7 Letters
WALLOPS: To hit or defeat very hard, implying a resounding victory.
CRUSHES: To defeat utterly and decisively, leaving no chance for recovery.
8 Letters
TROUNCES: To defeat heavily and decisively, often by a large margin.
9 Letters
OVERCOMES: To succeed in defeating or surmounting an obstacle or opponent, often after a struggle.
10 Letters
VANQUISHES: To defeat thoroughly, especially in a battle or conflict, implying complete subjugation.
More About "defeats soundly crossword clue"
"Defeats soundly" is a classic crossword clue phrase that indicates a comprehensive and decisive victory. It's not just about winning, but about winning in such a way that the opponent is clearly overwhelmed, often without much struggle or with a complete lack of effectiveness on their part. The answers provided above reflect this degree of thoroughness.
When you encounter this clue, think of verbs that convey absolute dominance in a contest. Crossword setters love to use synonyms that range from colloquial (like WHUPS) to more formal or historical (like VANQUISHES), keeping solvers on their toes. Paying attention to the letter count and intersecting letters will be key to pinpointing the exact word the setter has in mind.
Understanding the nuance of "soundly" is crucial here. It implies a lack of ambiguity in the outcome – the defeat was undeniable and absolute. This often leads to strong, impactful verbs as answers.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- **Analyze the Adverb:** For clues like "defeats soundly," the adverb "soundly" is just as important as the verb "defeats." It tells you to look for a word that signifies not just a win, but an overwhelming, thorough, or complete victory.
- **Consider Synonyms and Register:** Keep a mental (or actual) thesaurus handy. For "defeats," think of words like beat, rout, crush, trounce, overwhelm, etc. Then, consider the "soundly" aspect – which of these implies a total win? Also, consider the puzzle's likely register; is it a formal or a more casual puzzle?
- **Check Intersecting Letters:** This is perhaps the most critical tip for any crossword. If you have multiple possible answers for "defeats soundly" of the same length, the letters provided by crossing clues will narrow down your options significantly. Fill in what you know first, then revisit the ambiguous clues.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "defeats soundly" mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, "defeats soundly" indicates a complete and decisive victory. The answer word will typically be a verb that describes a thorough, overwhelming win, leaving no doubt about the outcome.
How do I choose between multiple answers of the same length for "defeats soundly"?
When multiple answers share the same letter count, check for intersecting letters from other clues in the puzzle. The specific nuance of the clue (e.g., formal vs. informal, specific context) or the setter's typical style can also help you determine the best fit.
Are there common patterns for clues involving 'soundly'?
Clues with 'soundly' usually refer to the thoroughness or completeness of an action, such as 'defeating soundly' (completely). Occasionally, 'soundly' might also be a pun referring to how a word sounds phonetically, though in the context of 'defeats soundly,' it almost always means 'thoroughly.'