Definitions

at a loss

ADJECTIVE

blank

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dazed

STRONG

bewildered confounded confused disconcerted muddled nonplussed stupefied

WEAK

awestruck uncomprehending wonderstruck

Antonyms

STRONG

clear oriented understanding

WEAK

aware

ADJECTIVE

confused

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffled befuddled bewildered dazed disorganized distracted muddled perplexed perturbed puzzled

STRONG

abashed addled discombobulated disconcerted flummoxed flustered gone misled nonplussed stumped thrown unscrewed unzipped woolly

WEAK

at sea at sixes and sevens come apart fouled-up glassy-eyed mixed up not with it out to lunch punch-drunk punchy screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out taken aback thrown off balance unglued

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear

STRONG

composed

WEAK

methodical ordered organized oriented separated systematic understanding

ADJECTIVE

in the red

Synonyms

WEAK

bankrupt behindhand defaulting delinquent in arrears in debt in dire straits in hock in the hole insolvent losing money nonpaying to the bad unprofitably

Antonyms

WEAK

in the black

ADJECTIVE

muddle-headed

Synonyms

WEAK

abashed addled addlepated at sea at sixes and sevens baffled befuddled bewildered come apart confounded confusional dazed discombobulated disconcerted disorganized distracted flummoxed flustered fouled-up glassy-eyed gone misled mixed up muddled nonplussed not with it out to lunch perplexed perturbed punch-drunk punchy puzzled screwy shook-up shot to pieces slaphappy spaced out stumped taken aback thrown thrown off balance turbid unglued unscrewed unzipped

ADJECTIVE

puzzled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

baffled bewildered clueless doubtful mystified perplexed rattled

STRONG

bollixed discombobulated floored lost nonplussed shook stuck stumped thrown

WEAK

at sea come apart come unzipped dopey foggy fouled-up hung up in a fog loused up messed-up mind-blown mixed up mucked up screwed-up shook-up spaced out unglued without a clue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

clear

WEAK

aware certain cognizant sure

ADJECTIVE

stumped

Synonyms

STRONG

baffled befuddled bewildered confused dumbfounded

WEAK

uncertain

Antonyms

STRONG

clear oriented understanding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One contributor: During the 2008-09 financial crisis, Harvard posted a 27% loss—the worst in the Ivy League—and sold stakes in private-equity funds at a loss.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

They argue that the reimbursement system is too slow to respond when prices spike, leaving pharmacies dispensing at a loss.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

Even the center’s supporters are at a loss about that.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

"I was at a loss and it looked like I was on the way out, which wasn't ideal, obviously," he told Australia's Channel Seven News.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Ashley had been around these parts for far too long to really crack, but I was still surprised to see her so frazzled and at a loss for what to say.

From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken

at a loss

Example Sentences

Related Words