NO-WIN Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

no-win

adjective

Definition of no-win

as in impossible

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 no-win Or has that become a no-win move? — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026 This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026 This type of agreement is not unheard of, according to Billboard, mirroring the no-win-no-fee model employed by some legal firms. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 16 Dec. 2025 The reality is that caregiving will frequently put you in no-win situations where no easy answer exists. — Kat McGowan, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for no-win

Recent Examples of Synonyms for no-win

Adjective

Underwood wasn’t Michigan’s only problem, but his struggles were impossible to ignore.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
In a community where trust in the immigration system and other authorities had eroded, Ortega became someone who had been through the same fear and knew how to navigate a system that many families found impossible to understand.

— Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of impossible

Adjective

The ‘enhanced’ access to players and managers in the Premier League has been, for the most part, pointless.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
In many cases, the presence of AI in the classroom is a solution in search of a problem — just like the ludicrous, pointless innovations by the Laputan scientists.

— Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pointless

Adjective

That Diamond song, a staple anthem at sporting events, is what vice-captain Mel Reid said — or tried to say with a lost voice — helped find Europe a way out of their low mood on Saturday evening.

— Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Besides several days of lost revenue, the business now faces additional costs to beef up its security.

— Charles Keeshan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of lost

Adjective

Speaking in normal terms, this means Newcastle had tracked Fernandez-Pardo over the long term and would have moved for him sooner, but believed the player was unattainable.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
For leaders, this means exercise is a critical tool to maintain cognitive function when perfect sleep is unattainable.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unattainable

Adjective

Inflation has reached absurd heights, the Lebanese pound is all but worthless, and the government shuts off the electricity for more than half of each day.

— Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Therefore, at current depletion rates, most of Venezuela’s oil reserves are worthless.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of worthless

Browse Nearby Words

nowheresville

no-win

nowise

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“No-win.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-win. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of no-win

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

volition

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes