losing
[lˈuzɪŋ] /ˈlü-ziŋ/ (ame, mw)
losing — adjective
- losingpositive
- more losingcomparative
- most losingsuperlative
1. describes a situation, effort, or contest that is on course to end in failure or
describes a situation, effort, or contest that is on course to end in failure or defeat — for example, an argument you cannot win or a fight where the other side is clearly stronger
Tariro knew arguing with the landlord about the leaking roof was a losing battle.
collocation: losing battle — a struggle that cannot be won
Coach Beatrix shouted instructions from a losing position all afternoon.
Zayd backed a losing candidate in the student council election.
Nasrin poured her savings into a losing cause, yet refused to walk away.
Kwesi's losing argument before the judge left his family with nothing.
- doomed
stronger — implies there is no possible way to succeed
- failing
broader — can apply to any effort, not just competitions or fights
- unsuccessful
more formal and less vivid; often describes a result already known rather than an ongoing struggle
- winning
heading for victory instead of defeat
用法筆記
Used to describe situations and efforts, not people directly. Describes an ongoing process heading toward failure — distinct from 'lost', which means the failure has already happened.
常見錯誤
2. describes a team, player, or period of competition whose record shows more defea
describes a team, player, or period of competition whose record shows more defeats than victories — for example, a sports team that has won only four games but lost twelve
The Wildcats ended the season with a losing record of six wins and ten losses.
collocation: losing record — a win-loss tally with more defeats than wins
Sayaka's chess club had a losing run that lasted the whole spring term.
After three losing seasons, the Willow Creek Tigers finally hired a new coach.
Henrik's losing streak at the poker table reached twelve hands before he finally won a round.
Greta's losing run with the chess team didn't stop her from signing up for the next tournament.
- defeated
describes the state of having already lost a specific contest, not a pattern over time
- unsuccessful
broader and less specific to competition records and win-loss counts
- bottom-ranked
more precise about position in a league table or ranking system
- winning
having more victories than defeats in a competitive record
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (HEADING FOR DEFEAT): this sense describes a statistical record looking backward at results already achieved. Sense 1 describes an ongoing situation whose outcome is not yet settled.