win
2 antonyms for win — opposites grouped by meaning.
Verb — To come out on top in a contest, game, war, or competition.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To come out on top in a contest, game, war, or competition.
“Our team won the match 3–1.”
prevail
succeed
be victorious
come first
conquer
take the prize
achieve
bring home the bacon
deserve
earn
hit the jackpot
indebt
score
triumph
victory
walk off with
Opposites
2. noun
A single victory or successful result.
“That was a hard-fought win for the underdogs.”
winnings
profits
Antonyms
How to use win
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
win a game
win over
a big win
win someone's trust
Etymology
From Old English winnan, "to labour, strive, fight" — the sense narrowed over time from general struggle to specifically coming out victorious.
Full origin of win →Frequently asked questions
What does “win” mean?
The word “win” means to come out on top in a contest, game, war, or competition. In plain terms, to succeed in a contest or gain something through effort, or the success itself as a noun.
How do you pronounce “win”?
“Win” is pronounced WIHN (/ˈwɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “win” in a sentence?
Here is “win” used in a sentence: “That was a hard-fought win for the underdogs.”
What is another word for “win”?
Words with a similar meaning to “win” include achieve, bring home the bacon, deserve, earn, hit the jackpot and indebt.
What is the opposite of “win”?
The opposite of “win” — its antonyms — are lose and fail.
What part of speech is “win”?
Depending on how it is used, “win” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “win” come from?
The word “win” comes from Old English. From Old English winnan, "to labour, strive, fight" — the sense narrowed over time from general struggle to specifically coming out victorious.
Is “win” a common word?
“Win” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the opposite of win?
The direct opposite of "win" is "lose," to fail to come out on top in a contest or game. Related opposites include "be defeated" and, in some situations, "draw" or "tie," where neither side wins. Which opposite fits depends on the situation: losing means finishing behind, drawing means finishing level.
What is the difference between win and beat?
You "win" a contest but you "beat" an opponent. "Win" focuses on claiming the victory or prize, as in "we won the match." "Beat" focuses on overcoming the other side, as in "we beat the other team." They describe the same result from different angles, so the object of each verb is what changes.
What is an example of win?
A runner crossing the finish line first wins the race; a team scoring the most points wins the game. Beyond sport, a company can win a contract, a lawyer can win a case, and a candidate can win an election. In each, someone comes out on top of a contest or competition.
