lose-lose

adjective

ˈlüz-ˈlüz 

: presenting two options both of which put one at a disadvantage

a lose-lose proposition

Examples of lose-lose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That outcome would be a lose-lose situation for everyone: the Argentines who need jobs, the American investors who were cheated, and all of South America and the Third World, which is looking to see whether Milei’s experiment in free-market capitalism is the path to economic prosperity. —Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

The Dolphins officially find themselves in a lose-lose situation. —Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025

President Donald Trump is moving systematically to change the rules governing American elections — and creating a lose-lose situation for democracy in the process. —Ronald Brownstein, Mercury News, 3 Sep. 2025

In any case, this option would have led to a lose-lose scenario, as inaction would have neither prompted Trump to reverse his measures nor have served Modi well domestically. —Happymon Jacob, Time, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lose-lose

• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose
• levulose
• overdose