for a loss

phrase

: into a state of distress
events had thrown him for a loss

Examples of for a loss in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Jesse Minter took Tyler Huntley into Atlanta and came away with an overtime win, even after the Ravens looked headed for a loss late in the fourth quarter. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Freshman Luke Wafle delivered five tackles and one massively important sack of Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht for a loss of 10 yards with six minutes left in regulation. — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026 Jadeveon Clowney stuffed Williams for a loss of 3 on first down and the Cowboys couldn't move the ball after that to bring up fourth down. — Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026 Jadeveon Clowney stuffed Williams for a loss of 3 on first down and the Cowboys couldn’t move the ball after that to bring up fourth down. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for for a loss

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of for a loss was in 1921

Rhymes for for a loss

See All Rhymes for for a loss

Browse Nearby Words

for a loop
for a loss
foram
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“For a loss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20a%20loss. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All