Synonyms of lost

lost 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlȯst 

as in missing

no longer possessed

we searched all over the house for the lost keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• missing
• gone
• misplaced
• mislaid
• forgotten
• absent
• irretrievable
• irrecoverable
• unknown
• castaway

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• retained
• possessed
• owned
• loved
• valued
• protected
• cherished
• treasured
• prized

lost

2 of 2

verb

past tense of lose

1

as in missed

to be unable to find or have at hand

I always lose my keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• missed
• misplaced
• forgot
• mislaid
• passed over
• overlooked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• had
• retained
• owned
• possessed
• occupied
• enjoyed
• kept
• held
• found
• located
• detected
• ran down
• tracked (down)
• scared up
• scouted (up)
• descried

2

as in dropped

to fail to win, gain, or obtain

if the team loses this game, they're out of the play-offs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dropped
• forfeited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• won
• conquered
• nailed (down)
• prevailed (over)
• triumphed (over)

3

as in fell

to undergo defeat

she really hates to lose at anything, and inevitably throws tantrums when it happens

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fell
• faltered
• threw
• bowed out
• missed
• took the count
• failed
• forfeited
• collapsed
• flopped
• tanked
• struck out
• cracked (up)
• flunked
• folded
• foundered
• washed out
• bombed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• won
• prevailed
• conquered
• succeeded
• triumphed
• flourished
• prospered
• thrived

4

as in discarded

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

• discarded
• dumped
• ditched
• unloaded
• abandoned
• scrapped
• shed
• rejected
• jettisoned
• removed
• junked
• tossed
• eliminated
• chucked
• exorcised
• laid by
• flung (off or away)
• threw away
• shucked (off)
• cast (off)
• sloughed (off)
• set aside
• disposed of
• cashiered
• threw out
• sluffed (off)
• deep-sixed
• dismissed
• eighty-sixed
• abdicated
• deserted
• forsook
• pitched
• eradicated
• abolished
• kicked out
• wiped out
• annihilated
• extinguished
• expunged
• exterminated
• extirpated
• liquidated
• stamped (out)
• rooted (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adopted
• used
• employed
• embraced
• utilized
• retained
• took on
• held
• kept
• held back

5

as in spent

to use up carelessly

we lost a good hour while he tried to find his keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spent
• wasted
• squandered
• dissipated
• threw away
• misspent
• blew
• frittered (away)
• lavished
• ran through
• fiddled away
• consumed
• depleted
• trifled (away)
• exhausted
• played ducks and drakes with
• impoverished
• expended
• splurged
• indulged
• disbursed
• laid out
• overspent
• overindulged
• shot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• conserved
• preserved
• protected
• saved
• skimped
• laid up
• hoarded
• economized
• scrimped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lost

Adjective

The attraction between these two lost souls, both still mourning the loss of their respective spouses years ago, is evident. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

The mood is unworldly, perfect for a song about an insomniac dwelling on lost love through a dark night. — Marshall Gu, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Tampa Bay had lost seven of its last 10, but never trailed against the Tigers, who have lost six straight and nine of 10 to fall behind in the race for the final AL wild card. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

The stars have lost a bit of their shine as the world mourns Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday at the age of 80. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026