Meaning & use
rout
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An overwhelming, disorderly defeat, or the act of defeating an opponent decisively and putting them to flight.
See it in a sentence
The final score was a rout, with the home team winning 42 to 3.
The general's forces routed the invaders before they reached the capital.
A note on using this word
Don't confuse with 'route' (a path or course); the two are spelled and pronounced differently but are easy to mix up in writing.
Words with a similar meaning
thrashingtrouncing
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To defeat an opponent decisively and force them into disorderly retreat.
The army routed the enemy within a single day of fighting.
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