no-win

adjective

Definition of no-winnext
as in impossible

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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
  1. impossible
  2. hopeless
  3. pointless
  4. lost
  5. unattainable
  6. worthless
Adjective
  • Elwood told his boss – Peter Brown, a former member of the Beatles’ inner circle and the founder of Brown Lloyd James – that the assignment was impossible.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Such components can benefit from additive manufacturing because the technology lets engineers create geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • This latest attempt to move, a hopeless punt to have his contract annulled in order to leave on a free sooner, will likely see anger return at Selhurst Park on Friday night against Manchester City.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Ever the hopeless romantic, Ted searches for the love of his life through a constant series of twists, turns, diversions, blue French horns, slap bets, and yellow umbrellas.
    — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopeless
Adjective
  • Their views ranged from seeing the gathering as pointless to potentially harmful for battleground candidates.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Interdependence Without Dependence Washington’s pointless scrap with Canada may ultimately do Canada a favor.
    — Wal van Lierop, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of pointless
Adjective
  • By her mid 20s Meriwether was pitching an ahead-of-its-time TV series called Sluts—a kind of lost precursor to Girls—and the screenplay Fuckbuddies, which became the romantic comedy No Strings Attached.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Soto returning from an injury late in a lost season could help set a tone for next year.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of lost
Adjective
  • 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
  • Rachel and Monica’s West Village sublet gave way to Hannah and Marnie’s Greenpoint apartment—an address that might be considered laughably unattainable by the broke twentysomethings of today.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unattainable
Adjective
  • The referee’s visual countdown may prove worthless if the player trotting off has his back to the official, which will invariably be the case.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And since Jace’s death, she’s treated Baela as nothing more than a defective surveillance drone — a worthless piece of tech that never spots Vhagar.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of worthless

Browse Nearby Words

nowheresville
no-win
nowise
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Cite this Entry

“No-win.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no-win. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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