Synonyms of loss

loss

noun

ˈlȯs 

1

as in absence

the act or an instance of not having or being able to find

he was upset over the loss of his wedding ring

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absence
• lack
• misplacement
• deprivation
• mislaying
• forfeiture
• sacrifice
• forfeit
• privation
• dispossession
• penalty
• bereavement
• need
• want

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gain
• acquisition
• control
• hands
• possession
• having
• keeping

2

as in victim

a person or thing harmed, lost, or destroyed

the platoon was able to accomplish its reconnaissance mission without any losses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• victim
• fatality
• casualty
• prey
• sacrifice
• loser
• martyr
• collateral damage
• underdog
• murderee

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• winner
• victor
• gainer
• killer
• murderer
• assassin
• injurer
• harmer

3

as in defeat

failure to win a contest

we're discouraged by our loss on Friday, but we're training hard for next week's game nevertheless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• defeat
• beating
• setback
• failure
• rout
• trimming
• overthrow
• whipping
• drubbing
• collapse
• licking
• upset
• trouncing
• shellacking
• plastering
• fiasco
• lump
• debacle
• shutout
• flop
• washout
• lurch
• nonsuccess
• whitewash
• fizzle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• success
• victory
• triumph
• win
• achievement
• accomplishment
• sweep
• blowout
• landslide
• runaway
• romp
• walkaway
• cakewalk
• walkover

4

as in decrease

the amount by which something is lessened

was determined to stay on the diet until he showed a loss of 10 pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

• decrease
• reduction
• decline
• drop
• dent
• diminution
• depletion
• shrinkage
• depression
• diminishment
• decrement
• slump
• abatement
• fall
• falloff
• drop-off
• subtraction
• step-down
• deduction
• downturn
• curtailment
• cut
• cutback
• slip
• shortening
• retrenchment

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• gain
• rise
• enlargement
• increment
• addition
• boost
• accumulation
• raise
• accrual
• supplement
• extension
• accretion
• continuation
• step-up
• uptick
• upturn
• upswing
• uptrend

5

as in deprivation

the state of being robbed of something normally enjoyed

her loss of sleep meant that she would have trouble concentrating at work the next day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deprivation
• lack
• absence
• denial
• privation
• forfeiture
• shortage
• sacrifice
• deficiency
• penalty
• need
• inadequacy
• forfeit
• scarcity
• poverty
• bereavement
• paucity
• dispossession
• dearth
• insufficiency
• want

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• control
• ownership
• possession
• gain
• accumulation
• acquiring

6

as in destruction

the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless

the loss of the oil tanker was more significant than the loss of its cargo

Synonyms & Similar Words

• destruction
• devastation
• havoc
• extinction
• demolition
• extermination
• annihilation
• obliteration
• decimation
• wastage
• ruin
• ruination
• collapse
• wreckage
• demolishment
• disintegration
• desolation
• breakup
• mincemeat
• depredation
• slaughter
• execution
• massacre
• dissolution
• despoliation
• killing
• assassination
• despoilment
• effacement
• eradication
• dismantlement

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• construction
• building
• erection
• raising
• saving
• salvation
• protection
• rescue
• salvage
• preservation
• conservation
• restoration
• reclamation
• reconstruction
• remodeling
• renovation
• regeneracy
• refurbishment
• re-creation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loss

Coming off three losses in Philadelphia, the Marlins mustered only one hit through seven innings (by Owen Caissie) before Marsee began the eighth with a triple down the right field line. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

The Fed's profit remittances are a third source in normal times, but these have been suspended since 2022 while the Fed works off its losses. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Melton, who came in having allowed three or more runs just twice this season, took the loss. — Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Set at a New England prep school during World War II, A Separate Peace paints a messy, complex depiction of adolescence and the loss of innocence. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing loss

• at a loss