Synonyms of losing ground

losing ground

phrase

present participle of lose ground

as in retreating

to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)

We need a new strategy because we keep losing ground to the other team.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retreating
• withdrawing
• falling back
• giving way
• pulling out
• backing away
• giving ground
• dropping back
• retiring
• receding
• fleeing
• evacuating
• flying
• pulling away
• backing down
• climbing down
• bowing out
• leaving
• shrinking
• recoiling
• chickening (out)
• flinching
• detaching
• departing
• going
• abandoning
• backtracking
• disengaging
• disentangling
• vacating
• backpedaling
• quitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• breasting
• braving
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of losing ground

The accusation tapped into Catholics’ fears over losing ground to evangelicals and could weaken the presidential bid of Bolsonaro, who is evangelical. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026

Marketers continue investing in campaigns that are slowly losing ground because the data reaches them after the platform has changed course. — Matt Jayson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

But with data showing that women are losing ground in the C-suite, Mensah believes the industry has a responsibility to step up in a more effective way. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

The allegations, which Netanyahu denies, have energized his domestic opponents, some of whom are viewed more favorably in Abu Dhabi, ahead of critical Israeli elections next month; polls show the prime minister appears to be losing ground. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026

The president expressed concern that Hollywood is losing ground to Canada and other countries, and argued new federal tax incentives could bring the industry back to California. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026

The losses were broad, with nearly every sector within the benchmark S&P 500 losing ground. — Damian J. Troise, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

August had no shortage of turbulence for the market, but the S&P 500 and Nasdaq each posted a gain for the month after losing ground in July and June. — Damian J. Troise, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Somber postgame interviews have become the norm in recent weeks as Inter Miami is stuck in a rut, on a five-game winless streak and losing ground in the Supporters Shield race. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026