# routed

/ˈɹaʊtɪd/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/routed
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

to defeat an opponent completely and force them to run away in a disorganized way. It is often used to describe a very one-sided battle or sports game.

For teachers: to defeat an enemy or competitor decisively, resulting in a disorderly retreat or total collapse of resistance. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the defeated party.

## Examples

- The home team routed their rivals in a five-zero victory.
- The defending army was completely routed and fled into the nearby mountains to escape capture.
- Historians argue that the cavalry charge effectively routed the infantry, turning what had been a stalemate into a chaotic and bloody retreat.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.