Standard Lemma guide

no-win

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Bound to end in failure.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • no-win situation
  • We're in a no-win situation: if we move, they kill us; if we stay, we starve.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

certain to end in failure and disappointment

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a no-win situation

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From no + win.