lose out

verb

lost out; losing out; loses out

intransitive verb

: to fail to win in competition : fail to receive an expected reward or gain

Examples of lose out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At the Academy Awards, Ladd lost out to Ingrid Bergman of Murder on the Orient Express in 1975, to Whoopi Goldberg of Ghost in 1991 and to Mercedes Ruehl of The Fisher King in 1992. Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025 The Boston Red Sox are one of the teams that have experienced New York's spending habits firsthand, losing out to the Yankees repeatedly in free agency over the years. Shaun McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 The prospect of low-income families losing out on food aid will likely add pressure on members of Congress to find a way to reopen the government. Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 29 Oct. 2025 Denver, however, lost out on both because teams higher in the waiver priority — Minnesota and Cleveland, respectively — also put claims in and thus were awarded the players. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lose out

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lose out was circa 1858

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Cite this Entry

“Lose out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lose%20out. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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