Just barely defeated

Published by Naitik Mehta · March 21, 2026

Stuck on the clue Just barely defeated from the New York Times Mini for March 21, 2026? We have the correct 8-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?

Clue

Just barely defeated (8)

Answer

E
D
G
E
D
O
U
T

The answer to Just barely defeated is Edged Out (8 letters).

Why does Edged Out fit this clue?

This is a direct definition clue where 'Just barely defeated' points to EDGED OUT, a phrasal verb meaning to defeat someone by a very small margin. To edge out means to gain a slight advantage over a competitor, often in a close contest where the outcome is decided by the narrowest possible difference. The word 'edge' here refers to a small advantage or margin, and when combined with 'out,' it creates the sense of pushing past an opponent by just that tiny bit. This phrase is commonly used in sports, elections, and competitions where victory comes down to the wire.

What does Just barely defeated mean?

We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.

barely

adverb

•only just; by a very small margin

defeated

verb

•beaten in a contest or battle

Where did this clue appear?

This clue appeared as 2-down in the New York Times Mini on March 21, 2026, by Christina Iverson, edited by Joel Fagliano. See all answers for this puzzle.

NYT Mini — Mar 21, 2026

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What does Edged Out mean?

phrasal verb

•to defeat someone by a very small margin; to narrowly beat or surpass in competition

How to use Edged Out in a sentence

Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Edged Out.

•“The incumbent mayor was edged out by her challenger in a race decided by fewer than 200 votes.”

•“After years of competition, streaming services have gradually edged out traditional cable television in many households.”

•“The veteran player was edged out of the starting lineup by a promising rookie during training camp.”

Learn about related clues

All clues from the New York Times Mini, Mar 21, 2026 crossword

The New York Times Mini for March 21, 2026 was published by Christina Iverson and has 18 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.

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Frequently asked questions about Just barely defeated

What is the answer to Just barely defeated?
The answer is Edged Out (8 letters).
Where did this clue appear?
This clue was last seen in the New York Times Mini on March 21, 2026.
How many letters does the answer to Just barely defeated have?
The answer has 8 letters: Edged Out.

Author

Naitik Mehta

Naitik Mehta

Co-founder

Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.