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Showing results for lost cause. Search instead for doktorhauses.
Definitions

lost cause

NOUN
wild-goose chase
Synonyms
WEAK
bootless errand fool's errand merry chase red herring snipe hunt vain attempt waste of time wasted effort wasted labor

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eileen McGovern, a member of SOAS, said returning "life-saving" emergency general surgery services to Swah is not a lost cause.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

They were comfortable confiding in one another to the point of calling the war “already a lost cause for Germany,” as Kiep put it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

If you were considered a lost cause, how were you able to make such a surprising comeback?

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025

But nor is it the case that democracy in our country is a lost cause.

From Salon • Sep. 23, 2025

She says okay, because she recognizes a lost cause when she sees one.

From "The Misfits" by James Howe