lost cause

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.

Eileen McGovern, a member of SOAS, said returning "life-saving" emergency general surgery services to Swah is not a lost cause.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026

They were comfortable confiding in one another to the point of calling the war “already a lost cause for Germany,” as Kiep put it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

If you were considered a lost cause, how were you able to make such a surprising comeback?

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2025

Red Bull's Verstappen has turned a seemingly lost cause into a thrilling late, if unexpected, charge for a fifth title.

From Barron's • Oct. 16, 2025

Even though a lot of people have given up on them, I refuse to believe they’re a lost cause.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers