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 gap between imports and exports hit $100 billion in August, a sign that Trump is losing ground on a signature policy. — Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 9 Oct. 2026

Polls show the party losing ground with those voters and facing unexpectedly tight contests across Texas, including in Paxton’s Senate race and several House districts. — Katherine Doyle, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Starbucks and Nike are losing ground to the likes of Luckin Coffee and Anta Sports. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

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

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