loser

noun

los·​er ˈlü-zər 

1

: a person or thing that loses especially consistently

The team had a reputation for being a loser year after year.

2

: a person who is incompetent or unable to succeed

Don't waste your time on that loser.

also : something doomed to fail or disappoint

… his position is a loser politically …

—Fred Barnes

Synonyms of loser

• disaster
• failure
• catastrophe
• disappointment

Examples of loser in a Sentence

The team had a reputation for being a loser year after year.

The loser of the bet has to buy drinks for the winner.

Whoever benefits from the new government programs, the real loser will be the American taxpayer.

That guy is a born loser.

Recent Examples on the Web

Comedy drama in which a loser who dies by accident, is given a second chance in life, and sets off on a journey of self-discovery. — Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Big 12 contention is likely out of the window for both teams, but a win would help the victor inch closer to a bowl game, while the loser will have a much more difficult path. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026

But in recent years, the shows have become money losers and the network TV business — faced with a decline in viewers that is squeezing profits — are cutting them loose. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Tanking is a loser’s mentality, and feeds into a losing culture. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing loser

• bad/poor loser
• good loser
• sore loser

Rhymes for loser

• boozer
• bruiser
• chooser
• cruiser
• user
• abuser
• accuser
• diffuser
• multiuser