: 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
Pledging to bring gas prices down by any means necessary is a lose-lose prospect for both the planet and the Biden administration.
—
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
But this conclusion may seem like a lose-lose for those looking to stay active.
—Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 27 June 2023
But a quarter-century is bound to bring changes—including physical ones, understandably—and Davis admits she’s been fighting a lose-lose battle over her use of facial fillers and other aesthetic treatments.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 12 June 2023
For him, running for president was a lose-lose proposition.
—James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2023
Companies that are used to trying to appeal to the widest possible consumer base now apparently face a lose-lose situation: continue to pursue LGBTQ consumers and face backlash from bigots, or submit to those complaints and face backlash for the volte-face.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 June 2023
This is a lose-lose: The care organization is wasting their most valuable asset — a provider’s time — while patients are waiting weeks for a visit as precious appointments go to waste.
—Oliver Kharraz, STAT, 2 May 2023
This puts women in a lose-lose position in sexist situations.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2023
See More
Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 19 Sep. 2023
But this conclusion may seem like a lose-lose for those looking to stay active.
—Alexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 27 June 2023
But a quarter-century is bound to bring changes—including physical ones, understandably—and Davis admits she’s been fighting a lose-lose battle over her use of facial fillers and other aesthetic treatments.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 12 June 2023
For him, running for president was a lose-lose proposition.
—James Pindell, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2023
Companies that are used to trying to appeal to the widest possible consumer base now apparently face a lose-lose situation: continue to pursue LGBTQ consumers and face backlash from bigots, or submit to those complaints and face backlash for the volte-face.
—Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 1 June 2023
This is a lose-lose: The care organization is wasting their most valuable asset — a provider’s time — while patients are waiting weeks for a visit as precious appointments go to waste.
—Oliver Kharraz, STAT, 2 May 2023
This puts women in a lose-lose position in sexist situations.
—Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lose-lose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1965, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lose-lose
Cite this Entry
“Lose-lose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lose-lose. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share