losing

1 of 2

adjective

los·​ing ˈlü-ziŋ 

1

: resulting in or likely to result in defeat

a losing battle

a losing poker hand

2

: marked by many losses or more losses than wins

a losing streak

a losing record

losing

2 of 2

present participle of lose

Examples of losing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

This refers to the fact that not all materials can be economically viable to recycle, so spending energy and time to recover them is often a losing game. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Stock futures are higher this morning following a losing day for the S&P 500. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Or when Cohen helmed perennially uncompetitive Hinkley to a 5-5 mark in 2013, achieving a rare non-losing season for the Thunder before getting mercy-ruled by Columbine in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 3 Oct. 2026

The Orioles have had consecutive losing seasons after winning 275 games from 2022-24. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1519, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing losing

• fight a losing battle
• losing his grip on reality
• losing/winning record
• winning/losing streak

Rhymes for losing

• bruising
• choosing
• cruising
• fusing
• musing
• oozing
• using
• abusing
• accusing
• amusing
• confusing
• defusing

Kids Definition

losing

adjective

1

: resulting in or likely to result in defeat

a losing battle

2

: marked by many losses or more losses than wins

a losing record