Synonyms of lose

lose

verb

ˈlüz 

1

as in to miss

to be unable to find or have at hand

I always lose my keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• miss
• forget
• misplace
• mislay
• pass over
• overlook

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• have
• retain
• possess
• keep
• enjoy
• hold
• occupy
• own
• find
• locate
• detect
• track (down)
• run down
• scare up
• scout (up)
• descry

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

• drop
• forfeit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• win
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• nail (down)
• conquer

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

• fall
• falter
• throw
• fail
• miss
• bow out
• take the count
• forfeit
• tank
• collapse
• strike out
• flop
• fold
• crack (up)
• flunk
• wash out
• founder
• bomb

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• win
• prevail
• triumph
• succeed
• conquer
• thrive
• flourish
• prosper

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

• discard
• dump
• ditch
• unload
• abandon
• shed
• scrap
• reject
• eliminate
• jettison
• remove
• toss
• chuck
• exorcise
• throw away
• cast (off)
• slough (off)
• set aside
• junk
• shuck (off)
• fling (off or away)
• throw out
• lay by
• dispose of
• sluff (off)
• forsake
• dismiss
• deep-six
• abdicate
• eradicate
• pitch
• abolish
• eighty-six
• cashier
• desert
• kick out
• wipe out
• annihilate
• extinguish
• expunge
• liquidate
• exterminate
• extirpate
• stamp (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adopt
• use
• embrace
• take on
• employ
• utilize
• retain
• keep
• hold
• hold back

5

as in to spend

to use up carelessly

we lost a good hour while he tried to find his keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spend
• waste
• squander
• dissipate
• throw away
• blow
• misspend
• lavish
• run through
• trifle (away)
• fritter (away)
• consume
• fiddle away
• deplete
• play ducks and drakes with
• splurge
• impoverish
• expend
• indulge
• exhaust
• disburse
• overindulge
• overspend
• lay out
• shoot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conserve
• protect
• preserve
• save
• economize
• skimp
• hoard
• scrimp
• lay up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lose

And losing to an AFC South rival would only make things worse. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Other top concerns included politicians interfering with the election and mail-in ballots getting lost, stolen or delayed. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Health systems invest in training, only to lose early-career nurses within a few years. — Lynne S. Moronski, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026

Last fall, Florida won its first game, lost to Group of 5 USF, then never looked the same. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing lose

• lose ground
• lose heart
• lose it
• lose one's cool
• lose one's heart (to)
• lose one's lunch
• lose one's temper