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

The United States lost thousands of lives and spent trillions of dollars in Afghanistan and Iraq, whereas the ongoing conflict with Iran has resulted in 18 American service members killed and has likely cost tens of billions of dollars. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Tests showed that a chip could be bent thousands of times around cylinders of different sizes, including one roughly as wide as a small screw, without losing performance. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Both teams lost heartbreakers last week as Mansfield dropped a 38-35 decision to Arlington Martin. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the soffritto is juicy and has lost about a third of its volume, 10 minutes. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 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