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.
While its title track may lose out to the stiff competition in the ROTY and SOTY categories, the album is greater than the sum of its parts. Jason Lamphier, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026 Perhaps one of its most famous ads, a 1992 ad starring Cindy Crawford, who quenches her thirst with a Pepsi, actually lost out to a Nike commercial featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. Mike Snider, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 Uhlaender recently lost out on the chance to qualify for a spot after Team Canada withdrew athletes from the North America Cup earlier this month, reducing the amount of points the competition could award. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026 Meanwhile, after losing out on Bichette, Dombrowski is being criticized by Philly fans and some Philly media for essentially bringing back the same team next year — but a big part of that was re-signing Kyle Schwarber for five years/$150 million. Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026 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 2 Feb. 2026.

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