winless

win  (wn)

v. won (wn), win·ning, wins

v.intr.

1. To achieve victory or finish first in a competition.

2. To achieve success in an effort or venture: struggled to overcome the handicap and finally won.

v.tr.

1. To achieve victory or finish first in.

2. To receive as a prize or reward for performance.

3.

a. To achieve or attain by effort: win concessions in negotiations.

b. To obtain or earn (a livelihood, for example). See Synonyms at earn¹.

4. To make (one's way) with effort.

5. To reach with difficulty: The ship won a safe port.

6. To take in battle; capture: won the heights after a fierce attack.

7. To succeed in gaining the favor or support of; prevail on: Her eloquence won over the audience.

8.

a. To gain the affection or loyalty of.

b. To appeal successfully to (someone's sympathy, for example).

c. To persuade (another) to marry one: He wooed and won her.

9.

a. To discover and open (a vein or deposit) in mining.

b. To extract from a mine or from mined ore.

n.

1.

a. A victory, especially in a competition.

b. First place in a competition.

2. An amount won or earned.

Phrasal Verbs:

win out

To succeed or prevail.

win through

To overcome difficulties and attain a desired goal or end.

Idiom:

win the day

To be successful.

---

[Middle English winnen, from Old English winnan, to fight, strive; see wen-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

---

winless adj.

winna·ble adj.

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

winless - having no wins; "the team had a very disappointing winless season" unsuccessful - not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome