loser
Came up short
A loser is someone who loses—a contest, a bet, a struggle.
Extended to mean someone who fails habitually or lacks social standing: Don't be such a loser.
The insult implies someone destined for failure, unable to succeed at life's basic competitions.
A sore loser handles defeat badly.
Loser can be self-deprecating or deeply cutting depending on context.
Abrupt pulling motion
- creepStealthy, slow movement
- schmuckObnoxious, contemptible person
- dweebSocially inept person
- dorkSocially inept person
geek · nerd · tool · deadbeat · bum · slacker · nobody · zero
Lack of success
- flopComplete commercial failure
- bustFailure or sculpture
- washoutComplete failure or cancellation
- nonstarterDoomed proposal from outset
debacle · fiasco · disappointment · letdown · dud · bomb · misfire · strikeout
One who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
- contenderOne competing seriously
runner-up · defeated · also-ran · finalist · underdog · hopeful · participant · entry
Dismiss as unsuitable
- misfitOne who doesn't fit in
- pariahRejected, shunned person
- outcastShunned, rejected person
- lonerOne who avoids company
outsider · black sheep · persona non grata · oddball · wallflower · unpopular · excluded · shunned
Presumed loser beforehand
- longshotUnlikely to succeed
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
- comebackRecovery after decline
resilient · perseverance · against the odds · Cinderella story · unlikely · battler · fighter · survivor
One performing below capacity
- slackerIdle responsibility evader
- dropoutOne who quits early
- quitterOne who surrenders
- defeatistOne expecting inevitable failure
unmotivated · aimless · directionless · unambitious · mediocre · unsuccessful · unfulfilled · stagnant
jerk
Abrupt pulling motion
dork · geek · nerd · tool · deadbeat · bum · slacker · nobody · zero · has-been
failure
Lack of success
nonstarter · debacle · fiasco · disappointment · letdown · dud · bomb · misfire · strikeout · blunder
rival
One who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- competitorOne striving against others
- challengerOne competing against incumbent
contender · runner-up · defeated · also-ran · finalist · underdog · hopeful · participant · entry · nominee
reject
Dismiss as unsuitable
loner · outsider · black sheep · persona non grata · oddball · wallflower · unpopular · excluded · shunned · marginalized
underdog
Presumed loser beforehand
- longshotUnlikely to succeed
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
- scrappyAggressively spirited despite odds
comeback · resilient · perseverance · against the odds · Cinderella story · unlikely · battler · fighter · survivor · plucky
underachiever
One performing below capacity
defeatist · unmotivated · aimless · directionless · unambitious · mediocre · unsuccessful · unfulfilled · stagnant · idle
- competitioncompete, competitor, contender, winner, sports
- lotterieslottery machine, ball machine, jackpot winner, lottery winner, lottery winners
- box officebox office, gross, worldwide gross, opening weekend, ticket sales
- Braggingbrag, gloat, show off, flex, swagger
- failuresfailure, failures, flop, flops, bust
- game participantsplayer, gamer, competitor, contestant, opponent
loserwinner
One who prevails
victor · champion · conqueror · gold medalist · titleholder
losersuccess
Favorable outcome attained
winner · achiever · high achiever · succeeder · go-getter
loserwinner
One who prevails
cool kid · popular kid · big man on campus · alpha · stud
- get lostDismissive order to leave
- lose weightReduce body mass
- lose your temperAbruptly give into anger
- lose controlFail to maintain composure
- getting lostBecoming unable to navigate
- lost and foundStation for reclaiming mislaid belongings
lose, lost, loss, losing, losses, losers, losable, lostness, loserdom