lose

verb

ˈlüz How to pronounce lose (audio)
Definition of losenext
1
as in to miss
to be unable to find or have at hand I always lose my keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lose Khloe Kardashian Khloe shared a moment from their shows where Kris is brought to tears at the thought of losing her mom. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 16 July 2026 Coming in at $90 each, each pair is crafted from 100% cotton rigid denim—the kind that needs breaking in and won’t lose its shape over time—and finished with Hailey’s signature print inside the pocket. — Sophie Donovan, Glamour, 16 July 2026 Since then, however, it's lost several of its executives to OpenAI. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 16 July 2026 Despite losing the semifinal, Mbappé will have another chance to add to his tally as well. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lose
  1. miss
  2. drop
  3. fall
  4. discard
  5. spend
  6. forget
  7. falter
  8. dump
Verb
  • In the early days, the page teemed with posts sharing objects found, along with heartfelt and, at times, gut-wrenching pleas for missing personal items.
    — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • After making all six of his shots and four of his free throws on Friday, Lendeborg was 0 for 4 from the field and missed both of his foul shots in the first half.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 July 2026
Definition of miss
Verb
  • The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2026
  • New episodes drop on Tuesday evenings, with the finale landing on July 14.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026
  • Micron Technology sank 8%, Intel lost more than 4%, while Lam Research and Advanced Micro Devices each fell about 3%.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of fall
Verb
  • Spinach dip, sweet cream and cream cheese had dates on them that were past due and should have been discarded.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026
  • The first-stage booster that had been tapped during the original attempts was discarded for a new booster.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026
Definition of discard
Verb
  • However, Morehouse, who has spent more than a decade campaigning for the return of American children abducted to Japan, doubts the amendment to Japan’s Civil Code will bring significant change.
    — Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • Berman, who spent 13 years as the NHL’s deputy general counsel and VP of community development, helped the league provide a grant for that program.
    — PJ Green July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
Definition of spend
Verb
  • The final few episodes’ excessive melodrama is easily forgiven when what’s good here — above-average fights, solid jokes, and a game cast — isn’t so easy to forget.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 July 2026
  • Handily, there is a Hollywood-esque REGENT sign plonked right there, should their Instagram followers ever forget where those selfies were taken.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of forget
Verb
  • The Sharks nearly made the playoffs last season, but, for a variety of reasons, faltered down the stretch and finished four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second and final wild card spot.
    — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • As the Phillies surge and the Jays falter, Mattingly's influence is increasingly evident, sparking widespread discussion.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of falter
Verb
  • Nearly 13,000 barrels of crude oil were dumped into nearby Mill Creek, prompting a 24/7 cleanup restoration lasting a little over a month.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • Norway’s talisman, the man looking to dump England out of the World Cup quarter-finals later today, was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of dump

Phrases Containing lose

Browse Nearby Words

lorn
lose
lose ground
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Cite this Entry

“Lose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lose. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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