1
2
as in to drop
to fail to win, gain, or obtain
if the team loses this game, they're out of the play-offs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fall
to undergo defeat
she really hates to lose at anything, and inevitably throws tantrums when it happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to discard
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
we told the recent grad to lose the flashy shirts and dress conservatively for the job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to spend
to use up carelessly
we lost a good hour while he tried to find his keys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lose
The Jaguars lost their third in a row, falling 38-20 to Coastal Carolina after taking a 14-7 lead at halftime.
—
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
Defensive front is struggling versus the run The Dolphins lost an 18-year NFL veteran in Calais Campbell who has probably forgotten more football than his replacements (Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers) collectively know.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Shares of software giant SAP — one of Europe's most valuable companies — also moved lower on Thursday, losing 2% after the European Commission launched an antitrust probe into its practices.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lose
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
Defensive front is struggling versus the run The Dolphins lost an 18-year NFL veteran in Calais Campbell who has probably forgotten more football than his replacements (Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers) collectively know.
—Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Shares of software giant SAP — one of Europe's most valuable companies — also moved lower on Thursday, losing 2% after the European Commission launched an antitrust probe into its practices.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lose
Verb
-
Evidence of damage includes chewed, cut or missing leaves; yellowing or brown leaves; white webbing and green-black excrement on or around the plant, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
2 Oct. 2025
-
One bullet missed her eye and the other her brain by mere centimeters.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The actor is booked and busy with multiple projects in the pipeline, which is why season 1 of Chad Powers is dropping with only six episodes.—
Kristen Baldwin,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
-
According to the Old Farmers' Almanac, frost forms at temperatures near or above 32 degrees, while a freeze is when temperatures drop to or below 32 degrees.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The 49ers dropped their first loss of the season to the Jaguars, as the team fell with a final score of 26-21.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
-
However, only 5% is allocated to equities, which means there is room for retail participation to deepen, especially as deposit rates fall and property remains out of favor, analysts told CNBC.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In general, soft cheeses like cream cheese, ricotta, and fresh mozzarella should be discarded with any signs of spoilage, including pink discoloration.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Soup holding internally at 113 degrees F after cooling for 2 hours (discarded).—
Gege Reed,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That year, the board hired Pat Gelsinger, an engineer who had spent 30 years at Intel before leaving it for other companies and eventually running VMware.—
Lila MacLellan,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Elordi spent up to 10 hours per session in the makeup chair and worked 18-hour days in full prosthetics.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The four-pack comes with two 4-inch and two 5-inch candles, and each one requires AA batteries for a true set-it-and-forget-it setup.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Defensive front is struggling versus the run The Dolphins lost an 18-year NFL veteran in Calais Campbell who has probably forgotten more football than his replacements (Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers) collectively know.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Max Verstappen's victories in the last two Grands Prix have brought him back into the championship fight, although the 69-point gap to Piastri can only be achieved if McLaren falters on every race weekend.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Years later, Rick Ankiel, a Cardinals pitcher, could no longer throw strikes—yet, when he was moved to the outfield, his accuracy rarely faltered from a greater distance.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Callie, the hottest person at Seattle Grace, went through so much turmoil and humiliation in her relationships prior to that, including, but not limited to, being cheated on by her husband and being dumped by a newly out lesbian who couldn’t handle her being bisexual.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Old Nazi warheads and US warships have been reclaimed by a new army of diverse marine life, as scientists uncover how nature has made use of the munitions and fleets that ended up dumped in waterways during the two world conflicts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lose. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share