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Showing results for lost cause. Search instead for osttorhauses.
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.

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

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025

The season is far from a lost cause.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

He tried, moving trash cans and nudging back, then reluctantly concluding it was a lost cause.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

Red Bull's Verstappen has turned a seemingly lost cause into a thrilling late, if unexpected, charge for a fifth title.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Still—call it the deepest of desires smack up against a lost cause.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.