no-win

[ noh-win ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. denoting a condition in which one cannot benefit, succeed, or win:

   a no-win situation; a no-win war.

no-win

adjective

1. offering no possibility of a favourable outcome (esp in the phrase a no-win situation )

Word History and Origins

Origin of no-win¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

He’s voting for Trump, after supporting President Biden four years ago and Trump in 2016, but calls this year’s election “a no-win situation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Discussing the conflict publicly is a no-win endeavor for both parties.

From Los Angeles Times

With Harris as the Democratic nominee, however, Trump is caught in a no-win situation.

From Salon

Deanna Martinez, a Moses Lake City Council member who chairs the mainstream group, called the presidential election “personally, a no-win situation.”

From Seattle Times

The second question was also a no-win, he said, because his parents felt there was no loyalty to Japan to denounce.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• absurd
• futile
• hopeless
• impassable
• impractical
• inaccessible
• inconceivable
• insurmountable
• preposterous
• unattainable
• unimaginable
• unreasonable
• unthinkable
• unworkable
• useless