1
2
as in to drop
to fail to win, gain, or obtain
if the team loses this game, they're out of the play-offs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fall
to undergo defeat
she really hates to lose at anything, and inevitably throws tantrums when it happens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to discard
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
we told the recent grad to lose the flashy shirts and dress conservatively for the job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to spend
to use up carelessly
we lost a good hour while he tried to find his keys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lose
DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points to lead the Kings (8-30), who have lost seven in a row and 17 of their last 20.
—
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Alex Ovechkin, Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank and Justin Sourdif also scored for Washington, which had lost three of four.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Turtles that are deprived of UVB radiation will lose interest in eating, suffer from malnutrition and develop fatal metabolic bone disease.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
According to reports, an Avelo spokesperson said the airline isn’t worried about losing business, noting that passenger bookings in 2025 are running about 11% higher than in 2024.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lose
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Alex Ovechkin, Anthony Beauvillier, Ethen Frank and Justin Sourdif also scored for Washington, which had lost three of four.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Turtles that are deprived of UVB radiation will lose interest in eating, suffer from malnutrition and develop fatal metabolic bone disease.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
According to reports, an Avelo spokesperson said the airline isn’t worried about losing business, noting that passenger bookings in 2025 are running about 11% higher than in 2024.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lose
Verb
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The reason for the different numbers of missing and rescued given by police and Archival was not immediately clear.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Originally born in Colorado and raised in Colorado Springs, Good had just dropped her 6-year-old son off at school before being killed, according to the Associated Press.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The 1971 Vikings were the other team, and Minnesota wound up falling at home to Dallas in its initial playoff contest.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
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In witness footage shared by the police, the paraglider is seen falling from the sky with a faulty parachute and spiraling quickly towards the waters below, before smashing into the ocean in front of horrified beachgoers.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The fawner depends on others to prop up her self-image; the unfawner knows when to discard them entirely.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
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Certain dents and signs are clear red flags, signaling you should immediately discard the can to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joabe Barbosa, Matthew Plese and Omar Yousaf spent the day riding the entire MARTA rail system in an attempt to complete the full route in roughly three hours.—
Kaley Fedko,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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Visitors can spend their entire trip switching off between the two, but be sure to take some time to explore the rocky cove beaches called calas that have made Costa Blanca famous.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Don't forget to dust and clean the top of the appliance.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
10 Jan. 2026
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Prep & Savour Heavy-Duty Kitchenware Pan Divider Don’t forget to tackle your kitchen clutter this year.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that falter under heat, thermal batteries use molten salts as electrolytes, which become ionically conductive only when heated.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
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Pass protection faltered, the run game stalled and Love couldn’t find a rhythm through the air as Green Bay welcomed Chicago back into the game and the Bears once again took advantage to end their archrival’s season in stunning fashion.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a class-action suit, originally launched in 1993, the Cofán accused Texaco of dumping 18 billion gallons of oily wastewater across their ancestral lands between 1964 and 1990.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The novel follows children’s librarian Daphne after her fiancé, Peter, dumps her for his childhood best friend, Petra.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lose. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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